Agenda and minutes

Members of the public are welcome to attend our meetings to watch them in person at any of the venues across the County. Publicly accessible meetings held in County Hall will be webcast, which means they are available to be watched live or recorded on our website. Please see our webcasting notice here. The Committee may, in certain circumstances, resolve to hold part of the meeting in private. If this is the case, you will be required to leave the meeting.

Venue: Virtual Meeting

Contact: Samantha Gorton  Tel: 01772 532471 - Email:  sam.gorton@lancashire.gov.uk

Media

Items
No. Item

1.

Welcome, introductions and apologies

To welcome all to the meeting, introduction and receive apologies.

Minutes:

The Chair welcomed all to the first virtual meeting of the Board.

 

Apologies were noted as above.

 

Replacements for the meeting were as follows

 

·  Denis Gizzi for Dr Lindsey Dickinson, Chorley and South Ribble CCG and Dr Sumantra Mukerji, Greater Preston CCG (Mr Gizzi subsequently had to offer apologies as he was unable to join the meeting)

·  Sue Bishop for Dr Geoff Jolliffe, Morecambe Bay CCG

 

Dominic Harrison, Director of Public Health, Blackburn with Darwen Council was also in attendance at the meeting.

2.

Disclosure of Pecuniary and Non-Pecuniary Interests

Members of the Board 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.

Minutes:

None.

3.

Covid 19 - Lancashire Outbreak Engagement Board pdf icon PDF 21 KB

To approve the Terms of Reference for the Board.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

 

Dr Sakthi Karunanithi, Director of Public Health, Lancashire County Council, outlined the proposal to create a Lancashire Outbreak Engagement Board as part of the Outbreak Control Plan.

 

In outlining the proposals, Dr Karunanithi, noted that the latest Covid-19 statistics showed an improvement in the number of cases and deaths, although it was stressed that Lancashire had experienced higher rates of infection than other areas during the earlier stages of the pandemic. It was also stressed that the virus remained a very serious concern, and continued vigilance and observance of social distancing and handwashing was essential. It was also reported that there had been significant improvements in the data available at a local level, allowing a rapid response to hotspots and outbreaks, including in care and health settings.

 

In response to questions, it was noted that currently there was no data on asymptomatic cases, although there was a wider estimate that around 10% of the population had at some point been infected. In relation to testing, it was reported that, whilst there was no formal data on the turnaround for results, around 50% of results were being received within 48 hours, and NHS labs were generally providing results within 24 hours. It was further noted that there were no published figures for "R" rates at district level, but that the R rate was considered to be of less use as the total number of infections declined. A range of other data and intelligence was used to assess and measure the position across Lancashire, and that overall the positon was positive, although with a caveat that the situation needed continued attention and endeavour.

 

It was noted that the VCFS had played a significant role in the efforts to tackle Covid-19 and support individuals and communities, and that this work would continue through the wider LRF work.

 

Resolved: That the Terms of Reference for the Lancashire Outbreak Engagement Board as set out at Appendix A be approved.

 

4.

Covid 19 Update

To receive a verbal update.

Minutes:

Dr Sakthi Karunanithi, Director of Public Health, Lancashire County Council, provided further information on the current situation, noting the further easing of lockdown arrangements and the essential link between health, a successful economy and strong communities.

 

Resolved: That the update be noted.

5.

Urgent Business

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 Members' intention to raise a matter under this heading.

Minutes:

There was no urgent business.

6.

Date of Next Meeting

The next scheduled meeting of the Board will be a virtual meeting, held at 2.00pm on 21 July 2020.

Minutes:

It was noted that the next meeting of the Board would take place on Tuesday 21 July at 2pm. The meeting would be held online.