Agenda and minutes

Apologies of absence were received from Councillors Brenda Ackers (Fylde Borough Council), Paul Gardner (Lancaster Borough Council), Adjad Mahmood (Pendle Borough Council) and Kerry Molineux (Hyndburn Borough Council).

Councillor Jackie Oakes replaced Helen Jackson as the representative from Rossendale Borough Council for this meeting.

Members are asked to consider any Pecuniary and Non-Pecuniary Interests they may have to disclose to the meeting in relation to matters under consideration on the Agenda.

None disclosed.

The Minutes of the Health Scrutiny Committee meeting held on the 4 March 2015 were presented and agreed.

Resolved: That the Minutes of the Health Scrutiny Committee held on the 4 March 2015 be confirmed and signed by the Chair.

The Chair introduced Clare Platt, Head of Service for Health, Equity, Welfare & Partnerships, Ann Smith, Head of Patient Safety and Quality Improvement, and Joanne Miller, Carers Strategy Officer, to the meeting.

Members were presented with a report that considered the Ageing Well element of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy and were informed that the focus of the report was upon the Dementia Friends initiative, social isolation, falls prevention, and support for carers.

Dementia

Members were informed that in Lancashire 13% of households were occupied by an individual over 65 years old, which was reported to be slightly higher than the average in England, but not significantly so. Thus, analysis of the Health and Wellbeing program had taken place and the results of which had identified dementia as a priority for action.

Work had been undertaken in collaboration with the Alzheimer's society, the District Councils, the Clinical Commissioning Groups, and other NHS agencies, on the delivery of outcomes towards the national 'Living well with dementia' strategy. This, it was noted, would aim to improve awareness of dementia, earlier diagnosis, intervention, and a higher quality of care for those who had been diagnosed.

Official figures delegated to the Committee suggested that there were 9,600 cases of dementia in Lancashire, however, due to an estimated 50% under diagnosis rate within the County, 18,000 people could have the condition in Lancashire. In BME groups it was reported that there was an inferred under diagnosis rate and it was expected that the BME community would see the rate of dementia rise significantly as the population aged. It was reported that people from BME communities were underrepresented in services and were often diagnosed in the latter stages of their illness, or, in some cases, not at all. Therefore, it was noted that there was a cultural issue present in terms of diagnosis and access to services.

Regarding provision for people with dementia, it was highlighted that the County Council offered a wide range of different services. For example, the County Council's Older People Service, the management of residential care homes, and the Day Time Support Service, were highlighted as examples of the wide-range in their support to those who had been diagnosed. Regarding day care, it was conveyed that 1,300 people were cared for every week who had high levels of dependency but were living independently.

Work had been undertaken around a public information campaign which included a prevention message – "what is good for your heart is good for your head". Therefore, reducing the risk of dementia in the population via promoting a healthy lifestyle.

Dementia Friends was explained to be a national initiative run by the Alzheimer's Society and funded by the Government to catalyse the establishment of a network of dementia friends across England. It was noted that the Cultural Services team at the County Council had undertaken a significant amount of work towards increasing awareness around dementia. It was highlighted that initiatives such as memory box loans, memory tours of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

On 26 January the Steering Group met to receive an update on the work of the Committee and discuss future topics for scrutiny. A summary of the meeting can be found at Appendix A to the report now presented.

On 23 February the Steering Group met with officers from East Lancashire CCG to discuss Primary Care Access and Calderstones regarding their post CQC inspection plan. A summary of the meeting can be found at Appendix B to the report now presented.

Resolved: That the report be received. 

The Committee's attention was drawn to forthcoming decisions and decisions recently made by the Cabinet and individual Cabinet Members in areas relevant to the remit of the committee, in order that this could inform possible future areas of work.

Recent and forthcoming decisions taken by Cabinet Members or the Cabinet can be accessed here:

http://council.lancashire.gov.uk/mgDelegatedDecisions.aspx?bcr=1

Resolved: That the report be received.

An item of urgent business may only be considered under this heading where, by reason of special circumstances to be recorded in the Minutes, the Chair of the meeting is of the opinion that the item should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency.  Wherever possible, the Chief Executive should be given advance warning of any Member’s intention to raise a matter under this heading.

No urgent business was reported.

The next meeting of the Health Scrutiny Committee will be held on Tuesday 2 June 2015 at 10.30am at County Hall, Preston.

It was noted that the next meeting of the Committee would be held on Tuesday 2 June 2015 at 10.30am at County Hall, Preston.