Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from David Loughton.

There were no declarations of interest.

[For approval]

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 27 March 2014 be approved

as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

[To consider any matters arising from the minutes of the previous meeting]

There were no matters arising.

[To note the recommendations of the review of the Adult Mental Health Strategy for Wolverhampton, which seek to make improvements to mental health services utilising existing resources. To note that the recommendations from the review do not constitute a substantial variation in service delivery and therefore statutory consultation is not required. To request the presentation of the new 0 to 25 care pathways and the commissioners’ approach to funding these in the Autumn of 2014.  These pathways present a very different way of providing services and therefore Scrutiny will want to consider the level of consultation. At a later date (Winter 2014 / Spring 2015), consider whether commissioners’ plans to reduce pressure on mental health bed occupancy are robust as part of the Better Care Fund Mental Health Re-ablement Project]

John Campbell

Chief Operating Officer

Black Country Partnership NHS FT

John Campbell introduced the strategy and gave a presentation. Cllr O’Neill asked if there was sufficient provision for prisoners with mental health issues. JC responded that there was on-going work to support such patients in the community. There was a debate regarding how the service supports patients who miss appointments, and the role of the voluntary sector in providing support. Cllr O’Neill asked what the procedure was for detaining patients under the Mental Health Act and JC responded that often there was insufficient cover of Section 12 doctors and there was a potential to merge with Sandwell to improve cover. The panel requested that the pathways relating to suicide amongst young people be brought to scrutiny in due course. There was a debate about bed shortages and JC responded that the reablement programme would help alleviate this issue, although there was a severe shortage.

Resolved:

To approve the recommendations and return the CAMHS to Scrutiny in Autumn 2014.

[To review the update of the Birmingham, Solihull and Black Country Stroke reconfiguration programme]

Kathryn Meredith

There was a presentation regarding the consultation on the stroke services. It was explained that this was part of the pre-consultation exercise and that the panel would be formally consulted at a future date, and the findings would be shared with the panel. Cllr Jaspal commended the service for the work it had done. Cllr Darke queried whether the key health priorities of the Council (obesity and smoking) could be incorporated into acute care.

Resolved:

To approve the recommendations and receive the findings of the consultation at a later meeting.

[To support the proposals set out in the consultation document and to support the consultation and engagement plan. ]

The presentation will be led by Dr Jonathan Odum, supported by Maxine Espley and Noreen Dowd

Dr Odum gave a presentation regarding the elective surgery being relocated to Cannock Chase. He outlined the benefits of such a change, including fewer cancellations. He reassured the panel that there would be sufficient consultant numbers to cover both sites. There were concerns raised regarding transport links between the two hospitals, and how patients would be able to access Cannock Chase, particularly those who are vulnerable. Maxine Espley told the panel that this had already been raised and the issue would be extensively reviewed, however it was very unlikely that patients would need to be transferred between the two sites. Vulnerable patients eligible for ambulance transport would still be able to access this service.  There were questions raised regarding patient choice. ME responded that many surgeries will only be available on one site. The consultation will be published during the week following the meeting and close during the first week of September. The consultation window needs to cater for feeding the results back to scrutiny and enabling patients to start being treated in Cannock Chase in the busy winter period.

Resolved:

            To approve the recommendations.