Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Health & Wellbeing)

The report sets out the Executive’s agreed response to this Scrutiny Committee’s review into Alcohol Misuse Services.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to note the Executive’s response to the Scrutiny Review of Alcohol Misuse Services.

Officer contact: Donna Sager, 0161 474 3928, donna.sager@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Independence & Wellbeing) submitted the Executive’s agreed response (copies of which had been circulated) to the questions posed by the Scrutiny Committee as part of its Review of Alcohol Misuse Services in Stockport. The Final Report of the Review had been presented to the Executive and Clinical Commissioning Group Governing Body in March 2015 and the Executive had agreed its response at its meeting on 21 April 2015.

The Executive Councillor (Independence & Wellbeing), Deputy Director of Public Health and Chief Operating Officer of the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) attended the meeting to answer questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         The Executive had welcomed the ‘question’ format of the final report, rather than specific recommendations.

·         The shortcomings in public health messages about safe levels of drinking were recognised, particularly confusion over units. Public Health England would be launching a new campaign in the Autumn and this would be subject to consultation with the Royal Colleges in an effort to ensure it was more effective.

·         There was ongoing work with Greater Manchester Police and the Licensing Forum to address problem areas for drinking. The Police would also refer those taken into custody for repeat drink related offences to a treatment assessment and these appointments were most often kept. It was suggested that the Police might consider using an ‘alcohol awareness’ course for those arrested for alcohol related reasons, similar to the ‘speed awareness’ course offered to those caught speeding.

·         The CCG welcomed the report and would be revisiting the issue later in the year. Although the CCG had no direct commissioning responsibility relating to alcohol misuses, there was scope to give the issue greater consideration as part of its wider service planning. The role of GPs in referrals and support also needed to be given further consideration. Members of the Scrutiny Committee repeated the importance of training for frontline staff.

·         Changes to the commissioning model and the current retendering exercise underway should ensure that there was capacity within the system to meet future rising demand as greater emphasis would be given to moving clients from treatment to recovery, and on earlier interventions.

RESOLVED – That the Executive’s response to the Scrutiny Review ‘Alcohol Misuse Services in Stockport’ be noted.

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Health & Wellbeing)

The report sets out the proposed Executive response to the Health & Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee’s review into Alcohol Misuse Services. The Executive received the final report at its meeting on 17 March 2015.

The Executive is invited to endorse the response to the Scrutiny Review of Alcohol Misuse Services.

Officer contact: Donna Sager, 0161 474 3928, donna.sager@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Health & Wellbeing) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive to consider a draft response to the recommendations made by the Health & Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee as part of its Review Final Report “Alcohol Misuse Services in Stockport”.

RESOLVED – (1) That the response to the “Alcohol Misuse Services in Stockport” Scrutiny Review Final Report be approved.

(2) That the Executive’s gratitude and appreciation be recorded for the work undertaken by the members of the scrutiny review panel and supporting staff involved in the review.