In the absence of the Vice-Chair, Councillor Gordon, having been proposed by the Chair and seconded by Councillor Delbridge, was appointed Vice-Chair for the purposes of this meeting only.

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

There were no declarations of interest made in accordance with the Code of Conduct.

The panel will be asked to confirm the minutes of the meetings held on 27 January and 23 February, 2010.

Resolved that the minutes of the meetings held on 27 January and 23 February, 2010, be confirmed, subject to the amendment of Minute 68(6) to reflect the fact that a briefing paper be circulated to panel members in the first instance and that only in the event of concerns being raised would a report be presented to a future meeting of the panel.

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

The Chair advised that the panel had been invited to submit comments on a draft scrutiny guide which had been prepared by the Centre for Public Scrutiny.  The purpose of the guide was to raise awareness of the opportunities for health scrutiny panels to get involved in the scrutiny of health commissioning and particularly to focus on health inequalities.

Resolved that –

The Chair updated the panel on the latest position with regard to its Lead Officer following the departure of Christina Smale.  Members were advised that Ian Gallin, Assistant Chief Executive, had been proposed to take over the role but the Chair had met with him and raised concerns about –

• whether it was appropriate for him to support the conflicting roles of both cabinet and scrutiny
• whether he had the capacity to take on such a significant role, given his already demanding workload

As a result, an alternative Lead Officer was being considered but could not yet be confirmed.

(In accordance with Section 100(B)(4)(b) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the Chair brought forward the above item of business because of the need to consult Members).

The panel will receive for its information a copy of the response to the Foundation Trust consultation.

The panel noted the report from South Western Ambulance Service NHS Trust which provided details of the consultation undertaken as part of its move toward becoming a Foundation Trust.

The panel will receive for its information a briefing note outlining proposals to modernise Broadmoor Hospital.

The panel noted the briefing paper from the NHS South West Specialised Commissioning Group regarding the planned modernisation of Broadmoor Hospital.  Members were advised that the proposals would have minimal affect on Plymouth citizens.

The Director of Infection Prevention and Control from the Plymouth Hospital Trust will be in attendance to report on infection rates and prevention measures at Derriford Hospital.

The panel received a report from the Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust updating them on infection control measures and performance at Derriford Hospital.  In attendance to present the report was Dr. Peter Jenks, Director of Infection Prevention and Control.  The report provided statistics relating to the Trust’s performance in respect of –

• Clinical cases of Meticillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
• MRSAbacteraemias
• Clostridium difficile
• Hand Hygiene
• Surgical site infection rates

In response to questions raised, the panel were further advised that –

The panel congratulated the Trust on its performance in regard to infection control and thanked Dr. Jenks for his attendance.

Resolved that a further update be presented to panel in 12 months’ time, the next report to include the actual number of incidents recorded in addition to percentages.

The panel will receive for its consideration a briefing paper on the Carers Champions Service.

This item was deferred for consideration at the meeting on 14 April, 2010.

To consider the proposal for a task and finish group to look at support for Carers, including examination of the Carers Strategy.

The panel received for its consideration a copy of the project initiation document (PID) prepared with a view to undertaking a task and finish group to look at carers.  Members were advised that, subject to panel approval, the PID would be submitted to the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board’s meeting that afternoon.

Recommended that the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board be requested to approve the panel’s proposal to undertake a task and finish group in respect of Carers.

The panel will receive an update on the work of the Local Involvement Network (LINk).

The panel’s co-opted representative presented an update on the work being undertaken by the Plymouth LINk.  Members were advised that –

Written responses would be provided to the panel in respect of –

• the problems associated with patient discharge 
• whether the cleanliness inspection at Derriford Hospital had been planned or a spot check
• the status of the LINk representative on the PHT Board
• the current membership of the LINk and the number of active members

The panel will receive an update on progress with the CIPs which fall within its terms of reference.

The Committee considered the briefing paper which provided an update on performance against the Council’s Corporate Improvement Priorities, CIP3 and CIP4.  In the absence of a presenting officer for this item, it was suggested that a written response to any questions asked would be provided in writing to members after the meeting.  With this in mind, the following questions were noted for response -

Resolved that –

The panel will receive for its information a report summarising panel activities over the last quarter.

The panel received for its information a copy of the quarterly report.

Members noted the report with interest and sought assurance that the panel’s remaining budget of £905.42 would be carried forward to 2010/11.  The Chair reported that, as far as she was aware, the money would be ring-fenced.  However, clarification would be sought from the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board which was meeting that afternoon.

To monitor progress on previous resolutions.

The panel received for its information a copy of the tracking resolutions schedule.  With regard to –

The panel will review its work programme for 2009/10 and consider its draft work programme for 2010/11.

The panel noted its work programme for 2009/10 and its draft work programme for 2010/11.  The Chair reported that she would be working closely with the Chair of the Healthy Theme Group during 2010/11 to ensure that the work programmes were more closely aligned with a particular focus on tackling inequalities.

To consider passing a resolution under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 to exclude the press and public from the meeting for the following item(s) of business on the grounds that it (they) involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph(s)   of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, as amended by the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

There were no items of exempt business.