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Councillors and committees

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Whickham Room - Civic Centre

Contact: Melvyn Mallam-Churchill, Tel: 0191 433 2149, Email:  melvynmallam-churchill@gateshead.gov.uk 

Items
No. Item

HW183

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Steph Downey.

 

The Chair welcomed new members to the Board; Cynthia Adkin and Richie Rickaby.

HW184

Minutes pdf icon PDF 297 KB

The minutes of the business meeting held on 6th March 2020 and Action List are attached for approval

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED:

(i)               The minutes of the last meeting held on 6 March 2020 were agreed as a correct record.

 

From the Action List the Board noted that is was agreed that the Secretary of State would be contacted to highlight the Board’s support of minimum unit pricing. It was further noted from the Action List that an update on the Integrated Care Partnership Suicide Prevention Developments would feed into the Board’s Forward Plan.

HW185

Declarations of Interest

Members of the Board to declare an interest in any particular agenda item.

Minutes:

RESOLVED:

(i)               There were no declarations of interest.

HW186

The Health & Wellbeing Board's role in addressing COVID-19 - including potential role relating to 'Test & Trace' - Alice Wiseman pdf icon PDF 136 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Board received a report and presentation on the Board’s role in addressing Covid-19.

 

From the presentation the Board were provided with an overview of confirmed Covid-19 cases across Gateshead by ward. It was also highlighted that recent reporting in the local press had highlighted deaths in the borough at MSOA levels; it was noted that the presence of a care home in an area can result in higher numbers of deaths. It was also highlighted that Crawcrook Greenside MSOA covers both Addison Court and Lindisfarne Chopwell nursing homes where 30 deaths had been recorded.

 

It was agreed that at the next meeting a more substantive update on care homes will be presented.

 

The Board were presented with information comparing Covid-19 deaths versus Flu deaths by age. From the presentation the Board were provided with a summary of the 7 themes related to the Outbreak Control Plan; a more detailed draft of the plan was appended to the agenda pack.

 

The Gateshead Covid-19 control plan approach also highlighted areas of work in policy/strategy, evidence-based prevention and the collaborative work being done for health and wellbeing. The Board acknowledged that although the pandemic is not over, joint working across partnerships is going well.

 

A comment was made that one amendment to the plan be made under ‘Communications’ Guiding Principles; it was noted that the first bullet point referred to ‘help to rebuild trust’.  It was suggested that this be changed to ‘help maintain trust’

 

It was highlighted that a Gateshead COVID Control Board will be established to take management responsibility of the Gateshead Outbreak Control framework and overall management of the local response. It was further noted that membership of this Board will include representatives of Gateshead Council, the Gateshead Housing Company, Newcastle Gateshead GGC, Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust, Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, Cumbria Northumberland and Tyne and Wear Foundation Trust and Northumbria Police. It was also noted that the membership of the Health and Wellbeing Board is to be reviewed to ensure the most effective representation across partners in delivering the new Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

 

The Board noted that caution must be taken on the approach to test and trace arrangements. The Board were also provided with an overview of the proposed governance arrangements for the local COVID-19 Control Board

 

A discussion took place on inequalities across Gateshead; it was noted that those from the most deprived areas are most likely to be adversely affected by the pandemic. It was also highlighted that minority groups such as those classed as BME were higher risk. It was also stated that referrals for mental health support have become more complex in nature since the lockdown measures were introduced.

 

It was suggested that more work can be done on prevention. It was highlighted that care homes continue to be a high-risk area and a a pro-active approach is needed.

 

A comment was made noting that sub-regional work and opportunities have arisen to influence the national team about the areas  ...  view the full minutes text for item HW186

HW187

Impact of COVID-19 and Response to-date - All

Minutes:

A discussion took place on the examples of good practise taking place across the borough. A comment was made stating that it is important that partners maintain a good dialogue throughout the crisis and continue to be honest with each other.

 

The potential of a second wave of Covid-19 was addressed as part of the discussion. It was noted that Public Health England have advised this is a possibility from Autumn; consensus across the Board was that local partnership working is being effective despite inconsistent and unclear messages from Central Government.

 

It was highlighted that Gateshead have been proactive in testing in care homes, it was noted that this has resulted in a higher number of cases being reported. It was acknowledged that some regions showing lower rates of infection may not have as effective testing procedures and local arrangements in place. The excellent relationship that the Gateshead partnerships have with the independent care sector was also acknowledged.

 

It was noted that a "protective ring" had also been placed around care homes in Gateshead. It was highlighted that extra Community Nursing, special testing, PPE, Infection Control Nursing, GP visiting, and support had been put in place. It was further noted that 24-hour access to the Trust's Geriatric and Palliative Consultants was also available.

 

A comment was made that throughout discussions between partners on how to support the public during the pandemic “who is paying for what” had not been a factor in implementing measures. However, it was acknowledged that at some point costs and the financial impact across partners will be reviewed.

 

The Chair thanked everyone for their hard work and contributions; the Chair also acknowledged that whilst there is much evidence of good practice, there will still be lessons to learn from the pandemic.

 

The Board were advised that a webinar had taken place with all GP practices sharing good ideas and ways to improve access using the new tools such as 'e-consult', video consultation but that the predominant access had been phone based. It was also noted that GP practices are promoting the NHS app.

 

The Board also noted that Tyne & Wear Fire and Rescue Service have continued to provide services through their P&E team, putting in place a triage system to prioritise the most vulnerable, including response to all partner referrals. It was noted that the service is also continuing to provide advice over the telephone and through social media. It was stated that safeguarding has continued and that a logistics team had been established to deliver food parcels.

 

RESOLVED:

(i)               The Board noted the updates.

 

HW188

Application to Consolidate Two Pharmacies in Ryton - Alice Wiseman and Sue White pdf icon PDF 262 KB

Minutes:

The Board received a report seeking views on an application to consolidate two Boots pharmacies in Ryton.

 

It was highlighted that the surgeries at Dean Terrace, Ryton and Elvaston Road, Ryton are both near each other and close to a GP surgery. It was also noted that a site visit had taken place; it was also highlighted that local Councillors had been consulted on the proposed consolidation.

 

Concern was noted that there has been no assurance provided that those with mobility problems will have appropriate access to the building once the consolidation takes place. It was also felt that consideration should be given by Boots to providing a medicine delivery service at no cost to vulnerable individuals in the community.

 

Sue White advised that she would include these points in the proposed letter to NHS England.

 

RESOLVED:

(i)               The Board supported the consolidation. However, the Board would like to see an undertaking from Boots, with assurance from NHS England, to ensure that the pharmacy services at 2 Dean Terrace provide appropriate access for people who have limited mobility, in particular regarding wheelchair access. The Board also requested that Boots provide assurance that consideration is given to providing a medicine delivery service at no cost to vulnerable individuals in the community who, as an impact of the consolidation, are unable to collect their medicines.

HW189

BCF Q4 Return for 2019/20 to NHS England - John Costello pdf icon PDF 191 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Board received the BCF Q4 Return for 2019/20 to NHS England for retrospective endorsement.

 

RESOLVED:

(i)               The Board endorsed the report.

HW190

Updates from Board Members

Minutes:

RESOLVED:

(i)               There were no additional updates from Board members.

HW191

Healthwatch Gateshead Quarterly Report (March to May 2020) pdf icon PDF 204 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Board received the Healthwatch Gateshead Quarterly Report (March to May 2020) for information. Cynthia Adkin also introduced herself to the Board and advised she could be contacted direct with any queries.

 

RESOLVED:

(i)               The Board noted the report.

 

HW192

A.O.B.

Minutes:

The Chair also noted that a discussion should take place at a future meeting on issues facing the migrant communities and their access to medical services.

 

RESOLVED:

(i)               The Board noted this other business.

 

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