Agenda and draft minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 11 June 2024 were agreed as an accurate record with no matters arising.

Report of the Primary Care Portfolio Manager, NENC ICB

The Committee received a presentation from the NENC ICB giving updates and context to concerns from residents about access to General Practitioner (GP) appointments.

The presentation outlined the current urgent appointments policy and how this works in practice, and how practices are looking to move towards using a Modern General Practice Model, including GP double appointments. To demonstrate impacts of this, appointment booking time data was provided for GP surgeries across the Borough, as well as an overview of actions to deliver amitions in the Primary Care Access Recovery Plan.

The impact of nurse practitioners and additional workforce on GP workload and the East PCN digital inclusion initiative was also highlighted in the presentation.

Committee Members emphasized that they were receiving regular feedback from residents on the difficulties of accessing GP practices and appointments. They discussed the use of 111 in relation to this information, including the crossover of dental care needs, as dental care is the most common issue that 111 receive calls about.

The Committee also considered information on triaging and Nurse Practitioners appointments, and changes in monitoring of patients with ADHD.

RESOLVED

i.              The Committee received and discussed the content of the presentation.

Report of Connected Voice

The Committee received a presentation and report on updates regarding digital inclusion.

The Gateshead Digital Inclusion in Health and Social Care Project Manager’s post started in April 2023. Additional funding has been secured to deliver a UKSPF digital inclusion project.

The presentation showed information on:

·         The Gateshead Digital Inclusion Steering Group – a cross-sector partnership with senior representatives from Gateshead Council, NHS, VCSE organisations, researchers, and industry.

·         Initial mapping report

·         The Gateshead Digital Inclusion Network

·         UKSPF Gateshead Digital Inclusion Project

·         Other digital inclusion work carried out in the borough in collaboration with other key stakeholders

RESOLVED

i.              The Committee reviewed the work undertaken through the Gateshead Digital Inclusion Project

Report of Service Director, Adult Social Care

The Committee received a report on the Adult Social Care Local Account for 2023/24, which looks back on activity, achievements and progress in Adult Social Care from April 2023 to March 2024 and sets out priorities for 2024/25.

The Local Account is designed to provide residents and people who need social care support, their families and, people who provide care with an update on adult social care in Gateshead and reflects on progress against our strategy and delivery plan, together with information about improvements being made.

The report provided data insight into residents receiving and providing care, information on who was supported in 2023/24, financial overview, and work achieved.

The Committee commended the report.

RESOLVED

i.              The Committee reviewed the report ahead of its publication.

Report of Service Director, Adult Social Care

The Committee received a report presenting the outcome of the Adult Social Care Local Government Association (LGA) Peer Review undertaken in March 2024 as part of the Councils commitment to Sector Led Improvement and in preparation for Adult Social Care Assurance, and the revised Departmental Action Plan which sets out the delivery objectives.

Integrated Adults and Social Care Services (IASCS) underwent a Peer Review in March 2024 with a specific focus on our readiness for CQC Assurance. The full report was included in Appendix 1.

Committee Members enquired about the composition of the peer review team, and the development of risk planning. They were informed that risk planning is now in place as a live document to accommodate risks as they arise.

RESOLVED

i.              The Committee received the report.

Report of Democratic Services

The Committee received a report setting out the Work Programme for 2024/25, including suggestions that had been received to date from elected members and relevant officers.

RESOLVED

       i.          The Committee approved the Work Programme.