Members will be asked to make any declarations of interest in respect of items on this agenda.

There were no declarations of interest made by Members in accordance with the code conduct.

The Committee will be asked to confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 29 January 2020.

Agreed the minutes of the meeting held on 29 January 2020.

To receive reports on business which, in the opinion of the Chair, should be brought forward for urgent consideration.

There were no items of Chair’s urgent business.

Sarah Gooding (Policy and Intelligence Advisor) was present for this item and referred to the report in the agenda pack.  It was reported that the brief covers policy updates and changes up until the 1 October 2020 and doesn’t include the recent tiers announced by Government within the last couple days.

The Chair invited Councillor Kate Taylor (Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care) to provide an update.  It was reported that:

·         Rules around visitation at care homes had changed.  It was important for people to have interaction within those settings but done safely.

·         A new £10m facility to be built in Central Park to replace Colwill Lodge and the Vines.  This new facility would be state of the art providing respite and day care services.

·         New COVID testing facility had opened at the Guidhall.

Dr Shelagh McCormick and John Finn (NHS Devon CCG) were present for this item and referred to the report in the agenda pack.

Questions related to:

·         Recent reports that the Chief Nurse was stopping elective surgery?

·         Whether the independent sector was fully utilised?

·         Criteria for seeing a GP and virtual appointments?

·         Flu vaccination availability?

·         Surge in COVID-19 and whether there was capacity to deliver and the impact on the workforce?

·         Nightingale hospital and the use of this hospital?

·         Accessing GPs and patients not getting through or making contact with their GP?

·         GP surgeries no longer offering ear syringing and was this correct?

·         Accessing of dental services.

The Committee noted the Phase 3 Planning report and seeks reassurance on delays to elective surgeries and the ongoing impact of corvid on long term health inequalities and the impact on the workforce.

Rob Sowden (Senior Performance Advisor) was present for this item and referred to the report in the agenda pack.  It was highlighted that:

·         Admissions to residential care was reducing;

·         Delayed transfers of care during COVID had been maintained;

·         Additional indicators to be added around elective capacity and waiting times.

Questions related to:

·         Vacancies within the care sector;

·         Second COVID wave and the stress this places on the healthcare system;

·         Public Health England alert tables.

The Committee noted the performance summary update and requested a further update at the next meeting.

Anna Coles (Service Director for Integrated Commissioning) will be present for this item and referred to the report in the agenda pack.  It was reported that they were preparing an adult social care winter plan which builds on policy guidance as well as working through a response to COVID.  This would be formalised in a plan to support the health and care system, patients and residents throughout the winter period. 

Questions related to:

·         Whether the winter plan would require extra resourcing/funding from government?

·         Workforce patterns and movement of staff around care homes/residential homes?

·         How the committee monitors the progress of the plan?

·         Whether this was the final plan or would further items be added?

·         How confident were they on the supply of PPE to all care homes and hospital staff to ensure there was enough quantity to carry out work?

·         Assessments in place to ensure people go home safely and appropriate support in place with regard to COVID.

The Committee noted the Winter Plan update and agreed to monitor the plan at the future meetings on what has been implemented and to be informed of any areas of risks over the winter period.

The Committee discussed items for inclusion on the work programme and it was agreed that the following items would be included:

·         Mental Health Services and CAMHS;

·         Supporting the workforce;

·         Healthwatch Update;

·         Long term impacts of COVID;

·         Performance Update including the monitoring of the Winter Plan;

·         Health and Adult Social Care budget;

·         Dental Health