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Councillors and committees

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Microsoft Teams. View directions

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

Items
No. Item

HW214

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Martin Gannon, Councillor Ron Beadle, Andrea Houlahan, Lewis Atkinson, Mark Adams and Richie Rickaby.

HW215

Minutes pdf icon PDF 212 KB

The minutes of the business meeting held on 23rd October 2020 and Action List are attached for approval

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The minutes of the last meeting held on 23 October 2020 were agreed as a correct record.

 

The Board also received an update on items contained within the Action List; it was noted from the list that the Board will continue to receive updates on Covid-19 as required. It was further noted that the update report on Childhood Immunisations would be presented at a Board meeting in the summer.

HW216

Declarations of Interest

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

Minutes:

Siobhan O’Neil declared an interest in Item 4 as a board member of the North East Poverty Trust.

HW217

Addressing Poverty in Gateshead: An Overview - Alison Dunn (Presentation)

Minutes:

The Board received a presentation from Alison Dunn providing an update on reducing inequalities and supporting residents during Covid-19.

 

From the presentation, the Board received information relating to the following:

 

·       Community hubs

·       Food provision

·       Holiday activity programmes

·       Support for businesses and the self employed

·       Support for people looking for work

·       Support for individuals through welfare and grants

 

The Board acknowledged that the pandemic has had huge implications for partners around the table; a comment was made noting that throughout the pandemic organisations have had to have a more reactive approach to dealing with poverty and deprivation.

 

It was noted that challenges ahead remain in terms of addressing inequalities; it was further noted that whilst the current ‘sticking plasters’ are needed, investment in narrowing the gap in inequalities for the future must remain a key priority.

 

The Board agreed that partnership work and communication had been outstanding but that whilst reactive work has been taking place to support communities during the pandemic, future planning and other tasks were not being taken forward as they would have under normal circumstances. The Board acknowledged that the ‘day job’ of partners, including those in the voluntary sector needed to continue to prevent issues in the future.

 

On the topic of the voluntary sector, the Board were advised that providers are nearing a ‘cliff edge’ in terms of access to funding leading up to March 2021. It was agreed that Alison Dunn and Lisa Goodwin would provide the Board with an update on work being done within the community and voluntary sector at a future meeting.

 

The Chair thanked Alison for the presentation.

 

RESOLVED:

(I)              The Board noted the contents of the presentation.

(II)            The Board agreed to receive a further update on work being done within the community and voluntary sector at a future meeting.

 

HW218

Older Persons Care Home Model - Barry Norman (Presentation)

Minutes:

Barry Norman delivered a presentation to the Board providing an update on the Older Persons Care Home Model.

 

From the presentation, the Board were provided with an overview of Gateshead care home provision; it was noted that the sector had been faced with challenges before the pandemic and that these have been exacerbated since then. It was further stated a project team is in place to explore the future requirements for Gateshead and to look at future market investment.

 

The Board received information relating to care homes challenges during the pandemic. It was noted that there have been many pressures within the sector which have included Covid-19 related deaths in addition to staffing and resourcing pressures.

 

An overview of the ‘Gateshead Approach’ was provided, it was highlighted that financial support had been agreed to ensure providers were able to deliver safe services during the pandemic. From the presentation the Board also noted that the pandemic has forced through changes within the sector which included strengthening the ‘person centred focus’ such as same day discharges to support NHS partners.

 

The Board were advised that occupancy levels have reduced in Gateshead from 93% to 82%. It was also acknowledged that the ‘Home First’ strategy has been a success resulting in fewer admissions to long term care. It was noted that the roll-out of the vaccine has provided a light at the end of the tunnel for residents and care workers.

 

The Board were also made aware that by early summer, new models of care delivery within care homes will be proposed and consulted on with new contracts put in place. It was agreed that Barry should attend a future Board meeting to provide an update on the new models of care delivery.

 

The Board agreed that further work needed to be done to improve the sector; it was also felt that the data on Covid-19 related deaths needed to be unpicked to identify areas for improvement. A discussion also took place on how care homes are managing the challenges of allowing family visits safely; from this discussion it was highlighted that work is ongoing regionally to introduce lateral flow testing to allow for increased visits to residents.

 

RESOLVED:

(I)              The Board noted the contents of the presentation.

(II)            The Board agreed that an update on new models of care delivery be presented at a future meeting.

 

HW219

Covid-19 Vaccine Update - Lynn Wilson / All

Minutes:

The Board received a verbal update on the roll out of the Covid-19 vaccination programme.

 

From the update, the Board were advised that five primary care networks are working together to roll out delivery of the vaccine. It was also noted that deliveries of the Pfizer vaccine are expected imminently in addition to equipment to support staff and administration such as laptops and 4G trackers. It was also stated that logistically there is still work to do to ensure that the vaccines are stored at the appropriate temperature.

 

An overview of staffing was provided; it was highlighted that across the system staff are being deployed or redeployed to support the vaccination programme. It was also stated that resource will be put in place to support with car parking and the marshalling of waiting areas at vaccination sites.

 

A brief overview of priority groups was provided which highlighted that those over the age of 80 would be first to be invited for a vaccine. It was also noted that following the first dose of the vaccine, the second dose is to be administered 21 days later. The Board were advised that there will be four vaccination sites across the borough, each located to provide convenient coverage for residents to attend.

 

The Board were advised that a huge task is underway to ensure the roll-out of the vaccine is successful and that the whole system was involved.

 

A question was asked as to whether transport would be made available to those who are not able to make their own way to a vaccination site. The Board were advised that such plans are being developed, it was noted that partners and voluntary sector providers may also support in this effort.

 

Concern was raised about the recent allergic reactions to the vaccine that have been reported in the press. The Board were assured that these instances were very rare but that no vaccine can promise no side-effects; it was also highlighted that the individuals reported to have had an adverse reaction to the vaccine have now recovered.

 

The Board were also advised that it is important to get the message out to residents that they should not contact their GP or hospital to request a vaccine. It was noted that individuals would be contacted directly.

 

RESOLVED:

(I)               The Board noted the verbal update

HW220

Gateshead Health & Care System Update - Mark Dornan / All

Minutes:

Dr Mark Dornan advised the group that a thank you message has been produced to express gratitude to services and residents for their support and effort during a very challenging time. The Board were advised that links to the video would be circulated following the meeting.

 

The Board were advised that work is ongoing between the LA7 to encourage residents to continue to follow Covid guidance over the upcoming Christmas holidays, it was also noted that plans are being rolled out across the system for a third wave of the virus which is a massive undertaking.

 

A discussion took place on the impact on the mental health of children during the pandemic, it was noted that the lack of social interaction and uncertainty around schooling will have had an adverse impact on children. The Board noted that this issue is recognised and affects children both locally and nationally, it was further noted that the wider impact of social isolation will affect all age groups.

 

It was highlighted that the backlog of cancelled hospital appointments and screenings will impact upon both patients and services. The Board were assured that work is ongoing to manage appointments, it was stated that weekly and daily calls are taking place with operational groups to manage the situation.

 

It was highlighted that services are very much focussed on maintaining and improving patient care on the frontline. Additional discussions took place on digital inclusion for residents, it was highlighted within the discussion that inequalities throughout the borough mean that some residents are excluded from digital engagement due to not having the infrastructure or a device to use.

 

It was noted that challenges remain across the system, both in terms of business continuity but with additional pressures as a result of the pandemic.

 

RESOLVED:

(I)               The Board noted the update.

 

HW221

Gateshead Safeguarding Children Partnership Annual Report 2019-20 - Saira Park pdf icon PDF 834 KB

Minutes:

Saira Park provided the Board with a summary of the Gateshead Safeguarding Children Partnership Annual Report.

 

The Board requested an additional update from Saira on the impact of Covid on services.

 

RESOLVED:

(I)               The Board noted the contents of the report.

(II)             The Board requested a further update on the impact of Covid on children’s services at a future meeting.

HW222

NHSE/I notification of change of ownership: Bewick Road Pharmacy - John Costello pdf icon PDF 154 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED:

(I)               The Board noted the report.

HW223

Updates from Board Members

Minutes:

Cllr Haley raised the issue of secondary school children not attending school due to anxiety. It was also noted that school admissions have currently suspended home visits due to the pandemic. It was suggested that this matter should be picked up via the Community Hub network.

 

RESOLVED:

(I)               The Board noted the update.

HW224

A.O.B.

Minutes:

There was no other business.

 

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