To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on the 9 February 2021.

Decision

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 9 February 2021 as a correct record.

Report of the Director of Public Health, Manchester City Council and the Medical Director, Manchester Health and Care Commissioning

The Director of Public Health (DPH) will deliver a presentation to the Committee with the latest available information on data and intelligence and a progress report on Operation Eagle. The Medical Director (MHCC) will also present the latest on the Manchester Vaccination Programme building on the update provided in February.

The Committee considered the joint presentation of the Director of Public Health and the Executive Clinical Director Manchester Health and Care Commissioning that provided an update on COVID-19 activity that included the latest available information on data and intelligence.

Some of the key points that arose from the Committee’s discussions were: -

·                How successful had the door knocking been to encourage residents to get tested during the mass testing exercise;

·                Had there been any delays in schools obtaining test results for pupils returning to schools;

·                Noting the two week delay in obtaining the results of testing for Variants Of Concern and the potential impact this could have on infection rates;

·                What work was being done with the local Universities to ensure the safe return of students;

·                Noting the key stages and dates of the roadmap announced to ease the lockdown restrictions;

·                The Committee paid tribute to all staff and volunteers for delivering the vaccination programme, with particular reference to the Woodhouse Park Lifestyle Centre;

·                Members provided personal accounts of their positive experience when receiving the vaccination;

·                The importance of engaging with and encouraging the uptake of vaccinations amongst specific groups such as the traveller community, asylum seekers and others who may not be registered;

·                What activity was being undertaken to ensure that all housebound residents received the vaccination; and

·                Noting the relationship between social and economic deprivation and the need for appropriate consideration being given to the location of vaccination sites.

The Director of Public Health responded to questions by stating that the door knocking undertaken as part of the mass testing exercise had been undertaken by Council staff and partners and had been very successful in encouraging residents to take a test, he further stated that whilst this work was very labour intensive it had provided an opportunity to speak and engage with residents and the learning from this would inform future engagement and communications work.

The Director of Public Health commented that the key dates and lifting of measures announced to ease the lockdown would continue to be closely monitored to understand the impact of these on infection rates. He stated that the delays between the dates would allow for any impact to be understood prior to the implementation of the next stage. He stated that he was not aware of any issues relating to school testing and the time taken to obtain the results, however if Members were aware of any issues to alert him to this. He further stated that he shared the concern raised by the Member regarding the delays in the testing for Variants of Concern and he continued to escalate these concerns.

The Director of Public Health stated that regular meetings were held with the local Universities to plan for the return of students, including the provision of Covid secure arrangements to deliver learning. He advised that the advice to students was to test prior to returning to their place of study and then again when they arrive in the city, adding that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

The Deputy Director Adult Social Services

This report provides information on the Better Outcomes, Better Lives, the Manchester Local Care Organisation’s transformation programme for Adult Social Care, which commenced in 2021 and builds on work to integrate health and social care in Manchester, the ASC improvement programme and other transformation initiatives delivered in recent years.

The Committee considered a report and presentation of the Interim Deputy Director Adult Social Services that provided an update on Better Outcomes, Better Lives, the Manchester Local Care Organisation’s transformation programme for Adult Social Care, which commenced in 2021 and built on work to integrate health and social care (ASC)  in Manchester, the ASC improvement programme and other transformation initiatives delivered in recent years.

The main points and themes within the report included: -

·                Diagnostic work to design the programme;

·                The scope of the programme including the detail of the individual workstreams;

·                The outcomes to be achieved; and

·                Feedback on progress to date.

Some of the key points that arose from the Committee’s discussions were: -

·                Noting the importance of this work and the role of scrutiny in monitoring progress;

·                Noting the significant challenge to achieve the identified savings in the period described;

·                The need to measure and regularly report progress and outcomes; and

·                The importance of embedding this work with other Council strategies and plans to ensure a system wide approach to deliver community assets and strengths.

The Interim Deputy Director Adult Social Services responded by stating that this was an ambitious and challenging programme of work to deliver improved outcomes and achieve the identified savings. She said this was a long term plan that would reduce need rather than defer need and help support the delivery of the appropriate and correct care at the correct time.

The Interim Deputy Director Adult Social Services said that this work would be delivered jointly with health partners and would be embedded in the wider programme of public sector reform that sought to bring services together and see them delivered in neighbourhoods. She commented that the wider determinants of health were understood, and this would inform the approach taken.

The Executive Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing informed the Committee of the budget context that had informed this approach, noting that this was as a result of a period of continued under funding, budget cuts and austerity. She described that despite this Manchester had chosen to invest in Adult Social Care and focus on supporting vulnerable citizens and delivering improved outcomes. She stated that this approach would be supported by the Local Care Organisation and Manchester Health and Care Commissioning and she concluded by paying tribute to all staff working in the delivery of Adult Social Care.

The Chair stated that the Committee would continue to monitor the delivery of this work and a future report would include information on how staff were being upskilled to support this programme.

Decision

To note the report and presentation.

Report of the Director of Strategy, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT)

The purpose of this paper is to describe the changes to services that have been necessary to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on patients accessing services at MFT.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Strategy, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust that described the changes to services that had been necessary to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on patients accessing services at MFT. In particular this included detail regarding changes to women’s services and the early plans for addressing the backlog in elective care that had developed over the past 12 months.

The main points and themes within the report included: -

·                Providing an introduction and background;

·                The activities to create capacity in order to meet the demand for treating patients with COVID-19;

·                Describing the changes that were made to the way in which services were delivered in order to reduce the spread of the virus and comply with Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) guidance;

·                An update on Women’s Services; and

·                Impact and recovery.

Councillor Russell, Member for Northenden ward addressed the Committee. She sought an assurance on the delivery of women’s services. She further stated that any equality impact assessments should take into consideration public transport and travel times, commenting that residents already facing disadvantages should not be disadvantaged further by any changes to service delivery.

Some of the key points that arose from the Committee’s discussions were: -

·                The Committee paid tribute to all staff working at the hospital sites for their work and dedication in treating patients during the pandemic;

·                Noting that many patients would have chosen not to take up elective procedures due to concerns surrounding Covid, would these patients be contacted and followed up;

·                Was in anticipated that waiting times for procedures would increase as people who had delayed seeking treatment for health conditions during the pandemic began to present;

·                The comprehensive MFT recovery plan should be shared with the Committee at the appropriate time; and

·                An update was sought as to the delivery of the Walk In Centre at the Manchester Royal Infirmary site.

Karen Connolly, Chief Executive, Saint Mary’s Hospital informed the Members that community midwifery services and hospital appointments had been reinstated to the pre pandemic arrangements and there was no reduction in the offer. She added that the changes that had been introduced to ensure appropriate infection prevention and control measures were place. She further stated that the service provided at the Wythenshawe site was an improved offer as there was 24/7 access to emergency surgery and diagnostic services.

Dawn Pike, Director of Nursing, Manchester Royal Infirmary stated that whilst the announced road map for easing restrictions would inform the recovery plan there were still unknowns, such as ongoing advice and guidance regarding social distancing to be announced and this would need to be taken into consideration and inform all recovery planning,

Dawn Pike, Director of Nursing, Manchester Royal Infirmary informed the Committee that follow up calls were being made to patients who had declined elective procedures during the pandemic. She advised that this contact would continue with advice and reassurance given as to the measure taken to address patient safety so that patients could  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

Report of the Medical Director Manchester Health and Care Commissioning

This is an update report following the agreement at the meeting on the 1 December 2020 that the City Health provision, formerly the WiC is rebranded to Manchester Urgent Primary Care Hub and patients are encouraged to call before they attend.

The Committee considered a report of the Medical Director Manchester Health and Care Commissioning that provided an update report following the agreement at the meeting on the 1 December 2020 that the City Health provision, formerly the WiC (Walk In Centre) was rebranded to Manchester Urgent Primary Care Hub and patients were encouraged to call before they attended.

The report described that a summary of the reasons why the changes were made had been sent out to stakeholders via a briefing with the clear message that the service remained open and that the changes being adopted were to maintain patient safety and continuity of service provision to support urgent Primary Care and the wider system.

The main points and themes within the report included: -

·                Providing an introduction and background;

·                COVID-19 Impact and Service Adjustments;

·                Data on the activity by month;

·                Advice to vulnerable residents; and

·                The service rebrand and revised model.

The key point that arose from the Committee’s discussions was: -

·                Noting the importance of this offer within the city centre, an assurance was sought that there was no intention to close this facility.

The Executive Clinical Director MHCC confirmed that there was no intention to close this facility, however appropriate consideration would be given to manage patient flow and access safely and appropriately.

Decision

To note the report.

Report of the Governance and Scrutiny Support Unit

This monthly report includes the recommendations monitor, relevant key decisions, the Committee’s work programme and items for information. The report also contains additional information including details of those organisations that have been inspected by the Care Quality Commission.

A report of the Governance and Scrutiny Support Unit which contained key decisions within the Committee’s remit and responses to previous recommendations was submitted for comment. Members were also invited to agree the Committee’s future work programme. 

The Chair recommended that he write to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to express the Committee’s disappointment and objection to the 1% pay rise offered to nurses who had delivered vital front line services and care during the pandemic. The Committee unanimously supported this recommendation.

A Member commented that this was the Chair’s final meeting and wished to place on record the Committee’s gratitude to Councillor Farrell.

Decisions

The Committee;

1.         Note the report and agree the work programme;

2.         Recommend that the Chair write to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to express the Committee’s disappointment and objection to the 1% pay rise offered to nurses who had delivered vital front line services and care during the pandemic; and

3.         Thank Councillor Farrell for his work as Chair of the Committee.