To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 9 November 2022.

In approving the minutes of the previous meeting a Member made reference to the comment that he raised under item reference HSC/22/51, in which he had discussed the need to scrutinise the provision and delivery of acute health services across a range of activities. He stated that an extraordinary meeting of the Health Scrutiny Committee should be convened to undertake this function.

The Chair stated that to undertake this task effectively Members should email her in the first instance with the areas they would specifically wish to have included for consideration so that the correct information and representatives could be invited to the meeting. She stated upon receipt of these requests she would liaise with the Executive Member for Healthy Manchester and Adult Social Care to progress this.

Decision

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 9 November 2022 as a correct record, noting the above comments.

Report of the Interim Director of Public Health

This report includes a summary of key findings from the Public Health England Gambling-related harms Evidence Review and the recently published Greater Manchester Strategic Needs Assessment on Gambling Related Harms.

The report further provides an overview of work taking place in Manchester, some of which is delivered in collaboration with the Greater Manchester Gambling Related Harms programme.    

The Committee considered the report of the Interim Deputy Director of Public Health that provided an update on the national, regional, and local context of Gambling Related Harms.

Key points and themes in the report included:

·         Providing a summary of the key findings from the Public Health England Gambling-related harms evidence review;

·         Information on the recently published Greater Manchester Strategic Needs Assessment on Gambling Related Harms;

·         Discussion of the epidemiology of gambling and associated harms;

·         Current prevalence of gambling, noting that the estimated prevalence of ‘problem gambling’ within the adult population was 0.5% in the United Kingdom, however this increased to 0.8% in Greater Manchester i.e.18,100 adults;

·         Harms associated with gambling, noting that research suggested that people living in the most deprived communities were nearly twice as likely to participate in gambling and were seven times more likely to experience problem gambling, compared with those living in the least deprived communities;

·         The impact of gambling harms on communities;

·         The work to prevent and reduce harm in Greater Manchester, including gambling treatment and support, and delivery of gambling related harms work;

·         Consideration of the estimated economic burden of gambling; and

·         Providing an overview of some of the activities that had taken place to support the strategic development of the gambling related harms programme both locally and sub-regionally.

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

·         Welcoming the report and describing it as very informative;

·         Noting that it was important to articulate and highlight the harms associated with gambling;

·         Calling for further regulation of the gambling industry, with the support of local MPs with a similar approach to that taken against the wealthy tobacco industry;

·         Noting the prevalence of digital gambling where there was little or no regulation of this sector;

·         Commenting that betting shops operated as mini casinos and they tended to target the poorest areas;

·         Future reports should include deep dives of specific areas of the city to understand the full impact of gambling in local communities;

·         Expressing concern at the data presented in regard to the prevalence of gambling amongst the student population;

·         The Council should use all of its powers and influence, working across all Directorates to discourage gambling by exploring all opportunities to provide alternative entertainment and diversionary offers; increased enforcement of venues and premises where gambling was facilitated and appropriate consideration given to the proximity of gambling venues to other facilities;

·         All front line service workers needed to be trained to identify people who maybe experiencing difficulties associated with gambling; and 

·         Local prominent football teams in the city should be encouraged to support anti-gambling campaigns.

The Interim Deputy Director of Public Health stated that it was recognised that more needed to be done to increase front line workers awareness and knowledge of the issue of gambling related harms so that people could be signposted to the correct sources of support.

The Programme Lead, Public Health Team advised that the licensing function did monitor gambling premises and would respond to any  ...  view the full minutes text for item 111.

Report of the Executive Director of Adult Social Services

The report describes key developments across Health and Social Care in Manchester relating to Adult Learning Disability services.

The Committee considered the report of the Executive Director of Adult Social Services that outlined key developments across Health and Social Care in Manchester relating to Adult Learning Disability services.

Key points and themes in the report included:

·      Developments surrounding the commissioning strategy for Adults with a Learning Disability;

·      Developments surrounding the Planning for People with Learning Disability Board, noting that the board would focus on the whole Learning Disability agenda, including improving equalities in health, housing, preparation for adulthood, criminal justice services, social care, commissioning, and work within the community;

·      The NHS Transforming Care agenda;

·      Healthcare, with an additional focus surrounding the local response to the recent national Care Quality Commission (CQC) report that looked at the experiences of people with a Learning Disability and Autistic people, when they needed physical health care and treatment in hospital;

·      Transition to Adulthood, noting the approach for citizens who were transitioning into adulthood, as well as support for their carers/families throughout the process; and

·      Information in relation to the Manchester City Council/Manchester Local Care Organisation In-House Provider Services review, including Supported Accommodation, Day Services and Short Breaks.

The report was accompanied by a presentation that highlighted the key areas of activity described within the report.

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

·         Noting that the voice of the citizen and lived experience were missing from the report, noting that it was important to hear this voice to understand the challenges experienced;

·         The need to recognise that the term Learning Disability covered a wide spectrum of conditions and needs;

·         Further information was sought in relation to the work discussed to understand inequalities experienced by people with Learning Disabilities from minority communities;

·         Concern was expressed in relation to the Transforming Care section of the report that described delays in admission notification from some Mental Health wards when they had new admissions; and

·         Welcoming the update and the approach taken to transitions, however noting that consideration had to be given as to how people who may have been supported by families for many years suddenly found themselves in need of support due to a change in their support arrangements, such as a result of bereavement or parents going into care.

The Executive Director of Adult Social Services addressed the Committee and advised that it had been agreed that as this report was a wide ranging, scene setting document it would not be appropriate for them to be present at this meeting. Attendance at the meeting had been discussed with key partners in the city who support engagement and co-production with citizens. She invited Members to identify areas of work that the Committee would like further detailed reports on, and citizens would be invited to contribute to those future meetings. She further noted the discussion regarding the most appropriate way for Members to engage with teams and citizens and if agreed, visits for Members could be facilitated outside of the formal scrutiny meeting format. The Committee welcomed this proposal.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 112.

Report of the Director of Public Health

This report provides an overview of the impact that heatwaves will have on the city and details the activity underway to adapt to a changing climate and reduce the health impacts of future heatwaves in the city.

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Public Health that provided an overview of the impact that heatwaves would have on the city and detailed the activity underway to adapt to a changing climate and reduce the health impacts of future heatwaves in the city.

Key points and themes in the report included:

·         Providing an introduction and background, noting that in July 2019, Manchester City Council had declared a Climate Emergency which recognised the need for the Council, and the city as a whole, to do more to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and mitigate the negative impacts of climate change;

·         The UK had experienced a brief but unprecedented extreme heatwave from 16 to 19 July 2022, as hot air moved north from the near continent;

·         The Met Office had issued its first red warning for extreme heat since the Extreme Heat National Weather Warning Service was introduced in June 2021;

·         The impact of heat on health and those identified as being at risk;

·         Discussion of the Manchester context, noting that climate projections suggested that Manchester would face warmer summers and more extreme heat events in the future;

·         Activity in Manchester to reduce the impact of future heatwaves, including information on the Heat Pack, Heat Vulnerability Index and Local Climate Adaptation Tool; and

·         Climate change was a key theme and action within the Making Manchester Fairer Action Plan.

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

·         The Committee paid tribute to the Public Health Team for their timely and important response during the heatwave to support the residents of Manchester;

·         The need to recognise the importance of Public Sector workers in supporting residents; and

·         Noting the significant impact heat had on the health of older residents.

The Head of City Policy informed the Committee that the Manchester Climate Change Framework had recently been updated to include more focus on adaptation and resilience including the consideration of heat. He added that detailed work on this issue had commenced in conjunction with Manchester Metropolitan University, the Met Office and the University of Exeter and would help to inform the Council and partners decision making.

The Assistant Director of Public Health informed the Committee that a range of data would be released by the Office of National Statistics that would help understand the impact of the recent heatwave, including the numbers of excess deaths and pressures and demand on other services, such as primary care. 

Councillor Shilton Godwin, Chair of the Environment and Climate Change Scrutiny Committee was welcomed by the Committee. She thanked the Committee for considering this important report and stated that heat would continue to impact upon the city as a direct result of the climate crisis. In response to a discussion regarding the impact of planning and climate change, she advised that the Environment and Climate Change Scrutiny Committee would be considering a specific report on this subject area at the meeting scheduled for 9 February 2023.

The Executive Member for Healthy  ...  view the full minutes text for item 113.

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.

The 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 informed all those present that a whole meeting in the new municipal year would be dedicated to considering the Greater Manchester Mental Health Trust and the improvements instigated in response to the BBC Panorama documentary and the Edenfield Centre. Members requested that testimonies and Patient Groups be invited to attend that meeting.

Decision

The Committee notes the report and agrees the work programme, noting the above comments.