Issue - meetings

To note the scope and terms of reference for the review, as agreed by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (report attached).  

The Panel noted the scope and terms of reference for the review that had been agreed by Overview and Scrutiny Committee.  It was agreed that information would also be sought on how the statistics about which people were deemed to be most at risk from emergency admission (on which decisions were taken) were collected.  In addition, Members felt that quality of life issues would also be considered and not just value for money.

In respect of independent expert advice, Members agreed that the possibility of commissioning some external input would be explored in order to provide an element of challenge and advice on possible lines of inquiry. 

The Panel noted the definition of high intensity user that was used locally by Haringey Teaching Primary Care Trust (TPCT): “people who are likely to be users of multiple services and have frequent attendances or admissions to hospital because they have long term conditions”.  No distinction was made between people who just presented at Accident and Emergency and those who were actually admitted to hospital. “Ambulatory care sensitive” (high impact users with primary care sensitive conditions) was not a piece of terminology that was used.

In respect of mental health, it was noted that, although this was a long term condition, it was treated differently as a different range of services were required. There were now fewer patients going to Accident and Emergency now due to the emergency reception centre at St. Ann’s Hospital and there were now systems in place to address the issue.  It was agreed that the TPCT would be asked to provide relevant statistics in relation to mental health as well as information on the ethnicity of high impact users.

Members noted that thalassaemia and sickle cell were prevalent in Haringey due to the ethnic background of  people in the Borough and felt that there should be consideration of these within the review.  Gerry Taylor for the TPCT reported that there was a particular unit that dealt with this condition at the North Middlesex Hospital.

AGREED:

1.      That the provision of external expert advice for the Panel be investigated further, in consultation with the Chair.

2.      That the issues of mental health, thalassaemia and sickle cell disease be considered as part of the review.

3.      That the TPCT be requested to provide relevant and up to date statistical information on high intensity users,  including people with mental health problems, within the Borough.

To note the following terms of reference for the review:

“to consider the future resourcing of actions to achieve strategic targets within the Safer and Stronger Communities block of the Local Area Agreement for Haringey 2007 – 2010 and to make recommendations thereon to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee”

The Panel noted that the review would be looking at the funding of actions to meet the Safer and Stronger Communities targets within the Local Area Agreement (LAA).  There were concerns that the current method of funding was not conducive to the meeting effectively the Borough’s LAA targets or addressing residents concerns due to an over reliance on short term grant funding, much a which was due to expire shortly.

The Panel felt that it would be useful to look at how other local authorities funded their activities.  It was suggested that Barnet, Camden or Lambeth might provide useful comparisons, particularly as they used a higher proportion of mainstream funding. 

The Chair reported that the date of the next meeting would now need to be changed due to a clash with the Alexandra Palace and Park Consultative Committee.

AGREED:

1.      That the scope and terms of reference for review, as approved by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, be noted.

2.      That a visit to interview relevant staff at a nearby local authority about the structure and funding arrangements for their Community Safety activities be arranged.

To consider the scope, terms of reference and workplan for the review.

(TO FOLLOW)

Scope, Aims & Objectives: It was highlighted that this review was being undertaken in the context of a ‘substantial variation in service’.  This would therefore require the Panel to assess the consultation processes employed by Haringey TPCT in developing the Primary Care Strategy together with the substantive changes actually proposed within the strategy itself.

Agreed:

·        Scope, aims and objectives agreed by the Panel and recommended to Overview & Scrutiny Committee.

Panel Co-option:  It was agreed that Maureen Dewar from Haringey PCT Patient & Public Involvement Forum would work closely with the Panel but not formally co-opted so as not to preclude the Patient and Public Involvement Forum from directly giving evidence to the Panel. 

Independent Adviser: The possibility of retaining a specialist independent adviser was discussed by the Panel.  Such a role was considered useful in that it may provide impartial but expert advice that would help to guide and inform Panel decisions.  The Panel has a small budget which it can use for such purposes. A number of individuals are being considered for this role and one could be appointed, with the consent of the Chair, in readiness for the next meeting.

Agreed: 

·        To appoint an independent adviser (with approval of the Chair) and to inform Panel Members.

Member Attendance at Area Assemblies and Public Meetings: It was noted that the PCT have a consultation programme for the Primary Care Strategy which include public presentations at dedicated events and Area Assemblies.  The full consultation programme has yet to be finalised and published, but will include all Area Assemblies and an Equalities Impact Assessment event.  Members were invited to attend these public events to gauge public responses to the Primary Care Strategy and feedback to the main Panel.

Agreed:        

·        Cllr Kober to attend Muswell Hill Area Assembly 23^rd July 7.30

·        Cllr Mallett to attend PCT Public Meeting 23^rd July 2.30pm (Cypriot Community Centre)

·        Cllr Baker to attend PCT Public Meeting 24^th July 6.00pm (Cypriot Community Centre)

·        Members to be informed of other Public Presentations at Area Assemblies and Equalities Impact Assessment Day.

Member Visits to Polyclinic Sites: The Panel discussed opportunities to visit polyclinic sites in Newham and Wandsworth. Possible dates have been agreed with the Newham site (4/5 September) and Wandsworth will be approached also.  It was also suggested that the Panel would like to visit Lordship Lane, this being a proposed ‘super health centre’ site.

Agreed:

·        Dates of polyclinic visit to Newham circulated.

·        Arrange possible visits to Wandsworth and Lordship Lane.

Dates of future meetings:  There was some concern that some Panel Members would not be able to make future planned meetings as these coincided with the Planning Committee meeting.  It was Agreed that the two future meetings (Monday September 3^rd and Monday October 1^st) would start at 5.30 to allow Members to attend both meetings.

Agreed: Time of future meetings 5.30pm instead of 6.30pm.