Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from County Councillors Lizzi Collinge and Alan Whittaker and District Councillors Chris Church, Lou Jackson and Fiona Wild.

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.

A non-pecuniary interest was declared by County Councillor Couperthwaite, as a councillor representative as part of the Better Care Fund programme.

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 4 December 2023 be confirmed as an accurate record.

Dr Sakthi Karunanithi, Director of Public Health and Wellbeing, Paula Hawley-Evans, Consultant in Public Health attended the meeting to present a service update on public health, wellbeing, and communities.

The presentation provided an overview of the transformation priorities for public health. The three priorities brought to the committee by the report were improving business procedures, workforce development and data and intelligence. The report also included the strategic priorities of the service; commissioning, workforce, intelligence and working with the voluntary sector and other partners.

A copy of the presentation is set out as part of the agenda pack.

Comments and questions:

• A question was raised regarding how Parish and Town Councils were being informed and involved in public health. It was explained that regular newsletters were circulated to these bodies, as well as annual conferences held, however the service were always looking to improve communication. It was also explained that wider working in the community with parish and town councils manifested in the form of community groups delivered through the Safer Stronger communities' team. Further to this information, the committee raised concern that some information was not being circulated to councillors. Members were assured that a review of how the information was being delivered would be undertaken to ensure councillors were informed appropriately.
• It was requested by the committee for the report presenters to specify one area in which they believed they had excelled, and one area which they believed faced challenges. The committee heard that the service was prepared in their response to any threats to health and wellbeing, they also noted the success from focusing on the basics of public health and how this had led to positive collaboration with the districts, and their success in implementing a contracts hub. Regarding challenges, it was noted that post pandemic, the context of work had shifted, especially in collaboration with the NHS as changes in personnel impacted on building working relationships.
• It was requested by members for further information on the commissioning of services, and how data and intelligence influence the commissioning of services. It was explained to the committee that the commissioning plan for 2024/25 was currently being drafted as part of the business plan for 2024/25 which could be reviewed at scrutiny level.
• A query was asked concerning the impact of the pandemic on the delivery of services. Members were advised that some preventative services were reduced. And, in addition to mental health for children and young people being a significant issue, it was also noted that developmental issues were being observed by early years practitioners in some children born during the pandemic. However, the committee were also informed that the pandemic significantly increased collaboration across services which was particularly effective.
• Further to the queries on the impact of the pandemic, it was asked how prepared Lancashire Public Health services were for another pandemic. It was advised that there was a level of fragility within the system partly due to the departure of experienced health service staff, and that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

County Councillor David Westley presented a report on the Health Scrutiny Steering Group meeting which took place on 10 January 2024.

There was an update provided on the proposed NHS Whittingham inpatient mental health service. It was noted to the committee that there was currently no inpatient provision of this type in Lancashire.

The report contained information on continuing healthcare and the demand for services, it was noted that the service had improved due to it being named as a priority by the ICB. It was confirmed that the progress of the service would be monitored in the future by the Health Scrutiny Steering Group. It was requested for a review of the service be provided to the committee in 12 months' time.

Resolved: That the report of the Health Scrutiny Steering Group be received.

The committee received a report which provided information on the work programme of the Health and Adult Services Scrutiny Committee and the Health Scrutiny Steering Group.

It was noted on the work programme that at the next meeting on 20^th March 2024, there would be a report provided on the workforce within adult services, public health, and the NHS. The committee were asked what areas they wished to be seen within the report and it was requested that an update on the latest workforce development programmes be provided, particularly post pandemic and information on if these programmes were regularly updated with feedback from staff.

With regards to the request for an update on employment day services, it was confirmed that this would be included as part of the 2024/25 work programme for the committee.

It was queried why an update on smoking in pregnancy had not been provided, as it was noted at the last meeting of the committee that an update would be given in January. It was confirmed that the item would remain on the agenda for future meetings of the committee as this was an item of interest to members.

Resolved: That

i)  The Health and Adult Services Scrutiny Committee and Health Scrutiny Steering Group work programmes be noted; and

ii)  The information to be included as part of the 20 March 2024 meeting of the committee be confirmed.

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.

There were no items of Urgent Business.

The next meeting of the Health and Adult Services Scrutiny Committee will be held on Wednesday, 20 March 2024 at 10:30am in Committee Room C – The Duke of Lancaster Room, County Hall, Preston.

It was noted that the next meeting of the Health and Adult Services Scrutiny Committee would be held on Wednesday 20 March 2024 at 10.30 am in Committee Room C, County Hall, Preston.