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Councillors and committees

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Bridges Room - Civic Centre

Contact: Rosalyn Patterson TEL: (0191) 433 2088 EMAIL:  rosalynpatterson@gateshead.gov.uk 

Items
No. Item

F28

Apologies for absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Mullen, Cllr Caffrey, Cllr McMaster, Cllr Kielty, Cllr Hall, Cllr S Craig, Cllr J Graham and co-opted member Sasha Ban.

 

F29

Minutes of last meeting pdf icon PDF 231 KB

The Committee is asked to approve as a correct record the minutes of the last meeting held on 1 December 2016.

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 1 December 2016 were agreed as a correct record.

 

F30

Review of Children's Oral Health in Gateshead - Evidence Gathering pdf icon PDF 228 KB

Report of the Director of Public Health

Minutes:

The Committee took part in the final evidence gathering session on the review of children’s oral health in Gateshead.  The Committee received two presentations, from a general dental practice perspective and also from the community dental service.

                        

Shiv Pabary gave a presentation on the work carried out within his general dental practice. It was noted that the percentage of the Gateshead population accessing NHS care is very high in comparison to the regional and national figure. Gateshead is performing well in terms of provision and access and disease levels are better than the North East figure, although it was acknowledged that there are ward differences. 

 

Shiv spoke about the three ‘InDental Group’ practices that are run within Gateshead, in Leam Lane, Deckham and Low Fell. The original practice was started in 1977 in Fewster Square and the further two practices were acquired in 2005 and 2007 respectively.

 

It was reported that in the definition of oral health there is a very broad meaning and reflects upon a persons physiological, social and psychological aspects of life. The point was made that dentistry involves the treatment of mainly two disease processes; decay or gum problems. Children are generally encouraged to attend a dentist from the age of one year, between the ages of one and nine dentists usually deal with toothache or abscesses. When young people reach the ages of 10-15 this is generally looking at treatment to ensure straight teeth and between the ages of 15 to 18 enquiries are around wisdom teeth extractions and tooth whitening.  It was confirmed however that the main problem in children and young people is decay related to poor dietary habits and oral hygiene.

 

The services provided by the practice include; regular 3-12 monthly check ups, fluoride applications for three to 18 year olds, although there has been some parental opposition to this, there are trained fluoride nurses as well as a trained therapist in oral hygiene instructions and dietary advice. In addition the practice visits local schools, for example staff have held oral health sessions at Lingey House Primary School and Leam Lane nursery. These sessions include information on brushing techniques and raising awareness on sugar content. It was recognised that the practice continues to work to get the message out to the community around prevention.

 

It was noted that the practice is also able to sedate patients who are anxious, this would usually entail a trip to hospital for some people as not every  practice is   able to provide this. The practice also provides orthodontic services for Gateshead, for 450 cases per year, however currently there are approximately 25 referrals per week so demand is outstripping provision. In terms of the patient base across the three practices it was noted that since 2005 3751 under 18’s have been seen. Within the practices staff include; 10 dentists, one co-ordinator, 13 nurses, a hygienist, an Endodontist, an oral surgeon, an orthodontist and facial surgeon.

 

It was confirmed that work continues on getting the message out  ...  view the full minutes text for item F30

F31

Liaison with Gateshead Youth Assembly pdf icon PDF 152 KB

Report of Interim Strategic Director, Care Wellbeing and Learning

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Committee received a report outlining the work of the Gateshead Youth Assembly (GYA) in 2016 and its priorities for 2017.

 

It was noted that new executives were voted in from November following the previous executive members moving on to University. The new assembly is keen to get information across to all schools, as currently only six schools are represented, therefore one of the priorities for 2017 is to promote the assembly in all schools.

 

The GYA has moved away from Portfolios this year, as it did not fit with the projects the assembly felts were most important, and instead has a list of priorities. Priorities for this year include; mental health, public transport, self-esteem, tobacco, bullying, environment, child sexual exploitation and child poverty.

 

Representatives from the GYA were unable to attend Committee and therefore Committee were invited to a Convivial Supper to be held on 31 January 2017.

 

RESOLVED    -           (i)         That Committee noted the information presented in the

report.

 

                                    (ii)        That Committee noted the invite to the Convivial

Supper on 31January.

 

 

 

F32

Ofsted Inspections - Annual Report pdf icon PDF 247 KB

Report of Interim Strategic Director, Care Wellbeing and Learning

Minutes:

The Ofsted inspection findings for the autumn term 2016.  Three inspections were undertaken last term; Kelvin Grove Primary was judged as ‘good’, as was Oakfield Junior School and Larkspur Primary maintained its ‘requires improvement’ grade.

 

It was noted that Larkspur’s findings were disappointing and was due to the focus on data, which was not strong, however the staff team are very hardworking.

 

It was confirmed that so far this term there have been seven inspections. It was noted that the bar has been raised high so that it is becoming difficult for some places to achieve good or outstanding, in particular those schools in socially deprived areas. Committee suggested that Ofsted grading is linked to the drive for Academy status, however it was noted that Ofsted is a non-political organisation.

 

RESOLVED    -           That the Committee considered the position of schools in

relation to Ofsted inspections.

 

 

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