Agenda item

[To receive the Health Care Service Annual Report]

Lorraine Millard and Dr Chitra Ramalingam presented the Health Care Service for Looked After Children Annual Report for the period 1 September 2013 to 31 August 2014. They explained in detail the changes in the provision of the service following the re-organisation of the National Health Service from 1 April 2013 with the responsibility for delivery of the service transferring to the Wolverhampton City Clinical Commissioning Group (WCCCG), the various statutory requirements and steps which had been or were being taken to fulfil these duties.

Cllr Paula Brookfield welcomed the information provided and the progress which had been made over the years. Cllr Rita Potter acknowledged the comments made and enquired as to the age at which sexual health issues were addressed with young people with Mental Health and/or Learning Disability issues. Emma Bennett responded that this particular issue was addressed through schools rather than the NHS. Dr Ramalingham explained that support was provided by both the Sexual Health Service of the WCCCG and School Nurses albeit that for LAC it would be via the NHS LAC Team. Alison Hinds advised that there was also a “Drop In Centre” where advice was available to LAC by the LAC Nurse. Cllr Paula Brookfield opined that for those children with moderate or severe learning disabilities early support was required. Emma Bennett suggested that this was not a specific issue relating only to LAC but also to the wider young people population.

Cllr Dr Michael Hardacre welcomed the report but expressed an element of concern inasmuch as the WCCCG was comprised of General Practitioners and questioned whether the particular needs with children’s mental health and sexual health issues were understood fully. He suggested that there was a possibility of non-compliance with the provisions of the Children’s Act 2004. Specifically he enquired as to whether the following questions on the report could be responded to:

·         Para 4.2 – was the contractual agreement in place to secure the expertise of designated professionals i.e. designated doctors and nurses for safeguarding children and Looked After Children;

·         Para 5.2 – was a Designated Doctor LAC, Named Nurse LAC and a LAC Administration Officer in place and had consideration been given to increasing staffing numbers in the light of the increase in the LAC population;

·         Para 5.4 – whether comparisons on a local / regional of family group basis were available in respect of the performance regarding Initial Health Assessments and Review Health Assessments;

·         Table 4 - the full title of the acronyms “IHA” and “RHA”.

Lorraine Millard reported on the changes at both the WCCCG and the Royal Wolverhampton NHS trust in relation to the Care Service for LAC and on the further steps proposed. She advised on the actions of the Commissioner for Mental Health (including young people) where a multi-service management group had been established to address the new services to be provided. With regard to the question in relation to Para 4.2 – this was currently being addressed. Dr Ramalingam advised that with regard to Para 5.4 that this issue was also being addressed and issues including the number of clinics provided and the number of referrals received on time or late were included within the deliberations. She explained that whilst the number of clinics provided was considered to be sufficient, the staffing resources available did not include provision for annual leave / sickness absence etc. Junior Doctors were now being trained to undertake the necessary assessments and the majority of assessments were now conducted on time. With regard to assessments, work was underway with partners to improve the rate and timeliness. “IHA” referred to “Initial Heath Assessment” and “RHA” referred to “Review Health Assessment”.

Cllr Dr Michael Hardacre requested that comparator figures be provided in respect of referral statistics. Emma Bennett explained that national statistics were only available on an annual basis.  Lorraine Millard advised that the situation, as she understood it, was replicated across the country with very similar issues being experienced.  

Cllr Julie Hodgkiss commented that the quality of information provided to the Board on these issues had been improved but questioned as to whether this was, once again, due to the dedication and passion of the individuals involved. Lorraine Millard assured the Board that progress in this particular area would continue. Emma Bennett emphasised that the WCCCG had embraced the Children’s Agenda as a whole and that improvements in this area were not just concentrated on the LAC area.

Cllr Mrs Patricia Patten welcomed the report and thanked those responsible for the work they were undertaking.

Resolved:

That the report be received and noted and the thanks of the Board be extended to Lorraine Millard and Dr Chitra Chamalingham and their colleagues for the work undertaken.