To approve as a correct record the draft minutes of the meeting held on 21 July 2020.

Decision

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 21 July 2020 as a correct record.

Report of the Director of Public Health & the Consultant in Public Health

In July the Committee received the Manchester Local Prevention and Response (Outbreak) Plan.  At the end of July the Government announced the new restrictions that would apply to Greater Manchester and this was followed by the declaration of a major incident on Sunday 2nd August.

The attached 10 Point Plan builds on the Prevention and Response Plan and sets out the key actions that have been progressed over the month of August.  Many of the actions in the 10 Point Plan will continue throughout September and the plan will be updated regularly. 

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Public Health that presented the 10 Point Action Plan that built on the Prevention and Response Plan that had been considered by the Committee at their meeting of 21 July 2020 (See HSC/20/28). The report set out the key actions that had been progressed over the month of August, noting that many of the actions in the 10 Point Plan would continue throughout September and the plan would be updated regularly. 

The Consultant in Public Health delivered a presentation that included the latest available comparative data and intelligence.

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

·         What work was being done to address the concerns of residents living in areas that also housed large numbers of students who would be returning to the city;

·         Noting that guidance issued by Government to schools had been issued late;

·         Thanking all of the staff working in Public Health on behalf of the residents of the city;

·         Was it anticipated that the reported increase in positive COVID-19 cases would translate to an increase in hospital admissions;

·         Noting that the messages issued regarding local lockdown changes issued by Government was confusing for residents; 

·         Appropriate funding should be allocated by central government to support and increase local testing and tracing services;

·         Was it appropriate to establish a test centre at the Abraham Moss site noting it’s close proximity to both the school and the leisure centre;

·         Questioning the validity of the statement that residents would be no more than twenty minutes walking distance from a testing site;

·         How many of the national track and trace cases were referred to the local service, and how many of those resulted in contact being made with individuals;

·         What guidance was provided to chilled or frozen food businesses;

·         What advice had been provided to schools regarding staggering start and finish times;

·         Noting the recent press reports regarding the transmission of COVID-19 cases connected to a flight destined for Wales, what work was being undertaken with the aviation industry to mitigate the risk of further infection; and

·         What work was being done with care homes to ensure contact with family members was maintained with residents in such settings.

The Consultant in Public Health advised the Committee that work was underway with the local Universities and the Student Partnership to prepare for the imminent return of students. She further acknowledged that this was a concern for some residents with students moving into communities from other areas of the country. She advised that communications regarding the work undertaken with the student population would be shared with residents and this would also be provided to local Members.

In regard to the number of positive cases identified in Manchester, the Consultant in Public Health stated that the increase in cases could be linked to the relaxation of lockdown restrictions and this trend was reflected nationally. She stated that the increase of positive cases were related to community and household transmissions,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33.

Report of Manchester Health and Care Commissioning, Manchester Foundation Trust, Manchester Local Care Organisation, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHSFT and Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership

This paper provides an update on the reinstatement of NHS services following changes in service provision as a result of the impact of Covid-19.

The Committee considered a report of Manchester Health and Care Commissioning, Manchester Foundation Trust, Manchester Local Care Organisation, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHSFT and Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership that provided an update on the reinstatement of NHS services following changes in service provision as a result of the impact of Covid-19.

The main points and themes within the report included: -

·         Acute Services (including Cancer);

·         Community health services;

·         Mental Health services;

·         Dental services; and

·         Primary Care (GP practices).

In attendance at the meeting were representatives from each respective service.

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

·         Expressing the Committee’s gratitude and appreciation to all staff working in the NHS;

·         Noting that recovery of services was within the context of a continued response to COVID-19;

·         Would there be an increased pressure placed on Primary Care to manage a medical condition, or if a patient’s condition begins to deteriorate when surgery was delayed due to COVID-19;

·         Noting the challenge and limitations of telephone / video consultations, especially when assessing patients with mental health issues;

·         Noting that in Manchester cancer treatment had continued to be delivered, however nationally this had not been the case;

·         What did ‘partially stopped’ service mean;

·         Noting that the imminent winter pressures would place additional pressures on services;

·         Noting the impact that COVID-19 would have on people’s mental health and the increased demand for mental health services, adequate funding should be allocated by central government to deliver such services; 

·         Recognising the important role of the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector (VCSE) in supporting people with mental health issues;

·         When would the ‘No 93’ Health and Wellbeing Centre in North Manchester be reopening;

·         Where were the 92 Urgent Dental Care sites to meet the needs of any patients of practices currently restricted in their delivery located.

·         Would the ability to treat a reduced number of patients in NHS dental practices and the NHS contract arrangements result in practices only treating private patients; and

·         A person centred approach was required when delivering care and services. 

Dr Veronica Devlin, Chief Transformation Officer MFT advised the Committee that patients who’s surgery had been deferred due to COVID-19 would continue to be provided with advice and information as to how to manage any condition with advice on what to do if the condition deteriorated. She advised that patient waiting lists were regularly reviewed to prioritise patients based on clinical need.

Dr Devlin further stated that whilst the delivery of cancer treatment services had continued in Manchester throughout COVID-19, the anticipated challenge related to the testing for cancer and the impact this would have on the service as patients had not been attending for testing due to fears surrounding COVID-19. She advised that to address this consideration and planning had been given to increasing access to testing and delivering safe diagnosis pathways.

Mark Edwards, Chief Operating Officer MLCO reported that services would continue to be re-established and to support this process and to ensure that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34.

Report of the Governance and Scrutiny Support Unit

This report includes a summary of key decisions that are within the Committee’s remit as well as an update on actions resulting from the Committee’s recommendations.

The report also contains additional information including details of those organisations that have been inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) within Manchester since the Health Scrutiny Committee last met.

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. 

Decision

To note the report.