To elect a Chairman for the remainder of the Municipal Year

           Nominations were received for Councillor Steve Charmley and Councillor Heather Kidd.

           After being put to a vote, it was

           RESOLVED:

That Councillor Steve Charmley be elected as Chairman for the remainder of the municipal year.

To receive apologies for absence and notification of any substitutes.

Apologies had been received from Councillor Chris Schofield (substituted by Councillor Roy Aldcroft) and Councillor David Minnery.

Members are reminded that they must not participate in the discussion or voting on any matter in which they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest and should leave the room prior to the commencement of the debate.

           There were no disclosable pecuniary interests.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held on Friday 13^th September 2021.

TO FOLLOW

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 13 September 2021 be approved as a correct record.

To receive any questions, statements or petitions from the public, notice of which has been given in accordance with Procedure Rule 14. Deadline for notification is not later than 10AM Thursday 18th November 2021

The Chairman advised that significant interest had been raised with regards to the current temporary closure of Bishops Castle Hospital both from members of the committee and the public, with a large number of questions being received.

It was proposed and agreed that an additional scrutiny meeting be added at the beginning of January to focus singularly on this topic with attendance from the CCG and Community Health Trust; a date would be circulated following the meeting.

Members felt that it was crucial to receive answers to some of the questions raised.

The Chairman advised that Patricia Davies, Chief Executive of Shropshire Community Health Trust, had joined the meeting remotely to provide a brief summary of the current situation at Bishops Castle Hospital and would allow questions from those present. Also joining remotely were Angie Wallace, Chief Operating Officer, Clair Hobbs, Director of Nursing and Quality at the Trust and Claire Parker, Director of Partnerships at NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin CCG.

A copy of the summary is attached to the agenda page Agenda for Health & Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Monday, 22nd November, 2021, 10.00 am — Shropshire Council

Concerns were raised regarding:

·         the lack of engagement with members and residents, together with advertisement of staff vacancies. It was felt more could be done to make use of well-established networks and advertising opportunities across the country.

·         the lack of affordable housing available for hospital staff and the negative effect this was having on the recruitment process and therefore staffing levels at the hospital. It was suggested that more emphasis should be put on “home grown” professionals and connections with local schools and colleges should be explored to promote career opportunities to young people within their local area. Members were advised that the Trust would welcome the opportunity to work with Shropshire Council to investigate housing availability.

·         the lack of public transport in rural areas causes accessibility issues when visiting patients who have been admitted to hospitals across the county.

·         that there should be some reassurance that the temporary closure of Bishops Castle Hospital would not resemble that of Ludlow Hospital where beds were never reopened despite a huge campaign to do so.

·         that the Care in the Community project was not continued.

·         That a financial incentive should be investigated with the ICS to encourage people to apply for vacancies.

It was requested that a copy of the work plan, an indication of how the Trust will work alongside the Local Plan and detail on how all parties will be involved in the future would be brought back to the meeting to be held in early January.

To receive any questions from members of the council.  Deadline for notification is not later than 5PM on Wednesday 17^th November 2021

            Members questions were raised within the previous item.

Presentation from Carole Croxford, Gary Heap, Beth McDowell and Katie-Rose Stone.

Contact – Carole Croxford - 01743 255729

Members received a presentation from Carole Croxford, Gary Heap (Service Managers - Adult Services), Beth McDowell and Katie-Rose Stone (Experts by Experience) which provided an overview of the new direct payments policy and how it has evolved.

Members were advised that the new policy gave better flexibility to meet the needs of those they are supporting, with payments now being made directly to the individual. The policy was intended to promote, develop and support. Although the policy had evolved, it was still on a journey to providing greater quality services in partnership with external organisations.

It was stated that there had been a large increase in interest in the scheme as other providers were no longer able to deliver the services.

Members noted that the presentation would be shared following the meeting and the following requests were made:

·         That the presentation is to be circulated to all members

·         To arrange a training session on Direct Payments

·         To hold a wider member briefing and to consider how Shropshire Council can support people who want to become a personal assistant.

Members gave their thanks to Beth and Katie for sharing their stories, and for providing a valuable role in the development of the policy based on their own experiences.

Report of the Scrutiny Officer is attached

Contact:  Danial Webb (Tel: 01743 258509)

It was agreed that:

·         the briefing on joint commissioning scheduled for January is postponed until February with an item on the agenda in March.

·         an informal working group be set up in advance of the additional meeting in January to discuss Bishops Castle Hospital to allow members to prepare their lines of enquiry. A date would be proposed and circulated in due course.

·         the Winter Plan item is discussed at the first meeting in January.

To appoint a Member from the Conservative Group to fill the vacancy on the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee. 

            RESOLVED:

That Councillor Steve Charmley be appointed to the Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee.