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

The Committee received the Manchester COVID-19 12 Point Plan in December and the attached Plan has now been updated to cover the remainder of the Winter period.  The Director of Public Health (DPH) will deliver a presentation to the Committee with the latest available information on data and intelligence (point 1), testing and contact tracing (point 2, 3 and 4).  The Medical Director (MHCC) will also present the latest on the Manchester Vaccination Programme (point 12) building on the update provided in January.

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; information on Variants of Concern in Manchester and the response to this; an update on the Manchester COVID-19 Vaccination Programme and testing and contact tracing.

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

·         The Committee expressed their confidence and appreciation to teams responding to deliver surge testing in central/south Manchester;

·         Noting the need to reassure local residents at this time and praising the response of local Neighbourhood Teams in providing advice and support to both local residents and Members;

·         What was being done to ensure that people who worked in these areas, but did not live in the area were tested, including those in household bubble arrangements;

·         Was the surge testing in central/south Manchester available to local business owners and their employees;

·         Were young people and housing providers involved regarding supporting the promotion of the vaccination programme;

·         Noting that there had been some concern expressed regarding the advice given to housebound residents and the timing of their vaccination;

·         Noting that due to the Primary Care Network arrangements some residents had been offered appointments for a vaccination some distance from their home address;

·         Providing a positive example of a GP working with local asylum seekers;

·         Stating that those who were destitute or not registered with a GP should not be excluded from receiving a vaccination;

·         Information on the vaccination should be available in different languages; and

·         What was the approach taken by GPs to ensure that unused vaccinations were not wasted.

The Director of Public Health responded to questions by stating that it was important to reiterate that at this stage there was no evidence that vaccines were less effective against the existing Kent variant and he encouraged all to continue to attend an appointment for their vaccination. He said that various teams, including Youth Services, local Housing Providers and Early Years Teams were actively engaged with work to promote testing and vaccination, adding that this work was complimented by a comprehensive communications strategy.

The Director of Public Health confirmed that the surge testing in central/south Manchester was available to local businesses and employees. He further acknowledged the comment regarding the issue of household bubbles and informed the Committee that an approach to this was to be discussed and agreed.

The Executive Clinical Director MHCC stated that for those residents who had not attended or taken up the offer a vaccination appointment they would be contacted, including a telephone call and the take up rates would continue to be monitored. She commented that the take up rate of the vaccination overall was very good.

In relation to housebound patients and the issue raised by Members, the Executive Clinical Director MHCC advised that the issue had arisen as a result of the physical management of the vaccination and the challenges this had presented to administer it safely. She stated that a process had subsequently been agreed to ensure that the vaccination could be delivered in a clinically safe manner and work was currently underway to vaccinate anyone who might not have received it.

The Executive Clinical Director MHCC acknowledged the comment made regarding Primary Care Network arrangements and appointment offers by stating this was acknowledged and work was underway to address this by offering vaccination appointments in a range of different settings. She stated that it was important to raise awareness of the vaccination and encouraged all to take up an offer as a way to combat COVID-19 and work was underway with a range of VCSE organisations to promote this and engage with citizens. She further stated that all citizens should be encouraged to register with a GP as it was important for all aspects of their health.

In regard to the question regarding unused vaccinations the Executive Clinical Director MHCC advised that the approach was that no vaccination should be wasted once the vial had been opened and practices would be responsible for managing their reserve list.

The Executive Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing praised the work that was being delivered across the city on behalf of the residents.

Decision

The Committee notes the report and pays tribute to all of the staff and volunteers involved in this important activity.