Agenda and minutes

None received.

The Chair will consider the admission of any late items of urgent busines. (Late items will be considered under the agenda item where they appear. New items will be dealt with at item 7 below).

None.

A Member with a personal interest in a matter who attends a meeting of the authority at which the matter is considered must disclose to the meeting the existence and nature of that interest at the commencement of that consideration, or when the interest becomes apparent.

A Member with a personal interest in a matter also has a prejudicial interest in that matter if the interest is one which a Member of the public, with knowledge of the relevant facts, would reasonably regard as so significant that it is likely to prejudice the Member’s judgement of the public interest.

None.

To approve the minutes of the meeting of 2 October 2007 (attached).

AGREED:

That the minutes of the meeting of 2 October be approved..

To consider progress with the review and future timetable.

It was noted that independent expert advice has been sought from the City University, where there was a centre with a specialism in primary care and ling term conditions.  If this option did not prove to be fruitful, other options would be explored. 

On particular area that could be considered by the Panel was the issue of telecare.  This involved the use of IT to monitor remotely vital signs from patients in their home and could be particularly useful in cases of hypertension, diabetes, asthma and heart failure.  There was specific grant funding available from the Department of Health for local authorities to fund such innovations.  In addition, the report by Professor Ara Darzi (Healthcare for London  - A Blueprint for Action) recommended that PCTs and local authorities develop joint action plans to address long term conditions.  It was agreed that this and the issue of telecare would be raised with Adult Services and Haringey TPCT to see if any local action had already been taken on these issues. 

To receive evidence from the following:

·        Tom Brown – Service Manager, Older People, Adult, Culture and Community Services

·        Siobhan Harrington, The Whittington Hospital

·        The North Middlesex Hospital (to be confirmed).

·        Islington and Haringey Breathe Easy (to be confirmed)

The Panel received evidence from:

·        Norman Mattis from Islington and Haringey Breathe Easy

·        Dr. Anne Yardumian, Lee McPhail and Lisa Donegan from the North Middlesex Hospital     

·        Siobhan Harrington from the Whittington Hospital

·        Tom Brown from Adult, Culture and Community Services

Breathe Easy

Mr. Mattis stated that there were approximately 12 people who were actively involved in the local group.  The aim of the group was to make life as comfortable as possible for its members.  Its members suffered from a range of lung conditions such as COPD, asthma and asbestosis.  It met on a monthly basis.  He was referred to it by the Whittington Hospital, who provided some support for the group.   His condition was changeable in its severity – he could be fine some days and not so good on others.  However, there was a slow overall deterioration.  Exercise was of great benefit for people with lung problems.  He attended the gym on a regular basis.  In addition, the group was currently trying to set up a regular exercise session for its members and was trying to obtain suitable funding for this. 

Most people with lung disease had their own way of managing their condition and the ability to self manage was very important.  Ms Harrington stated that the group was integrated into the hospital’s rehabilitation programme.  The Respiratory Team at the hospital valued their relationship wit the group. 

Mr Mattis stated that his condition was related to his previous work as an engineer, which had involved him working with asbestos.  One particular aim for the group was to publicise lung conditions.  There was a lack of appreciation of their range and what they entailed.  He felt that this was leading him to having difficulty in obtaining compensation for industrial injury as well as a disabled badge. 

North Middlesex University Hospital

Dr. Anne Yardumian, Lee McPhail and Lisa Donegan from the North Middlesex Hospital reported on action that was undertaken at the hospital to reduce the level and duration of hospitalisation of people with long term conditions.  They had a First Response Team (FRT) who had proven to be effective in interventions to help avoid admissions and/or reduce their duration.  They worked by providing a highly visible, coordinated therapy and discharge service by means of effective early specialist assessment and intervention, internal/external networking and referrals , as well as fast track access to community services or other health/social environments.  There were now officers from Haringey’s Adult Services who were based on site.  The main benefit of the service was the provision of integrated services for patients, allowing a concentration and continuity of care from admission to the discharge of patients.  This incorporated promotion of care standards and the screening of medical and nursing interventions in order to assess for potential issues that might lead to a delayed discharge or readmission.

They were a multi disciplinary team and had links to other teams of professionals including the Rapid Response team at the hospital, the Intermediate Care Team, Community Matrons and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

None.

20 November at 6:30 p.m.

The Panel noted that efforts were being made to identify appropriate external expert advice and it was hoped to have resolved this by the next meeting.

It was agreed that the following would be invited to give evidence to the next meeting:

·        The Alzheimer’s Association

·        Age Concern

·        Sickle Cell Support Group

·        Community Matrons, the Expert Patients scheme, DESMOND.

It was noted that the next meeting would be on Tuesday 20 November.