Agenda and minutes

To consider whether it is in the public to exclude the public during consideration of agenda item 2 (Alcohol Services Review – service users) as the item “not for publication by virtue of Category 1 ‘Information relating to any individual’ as set out in the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended). The Scrutiny Committee will be receiving information from current service users and the public interest in disclosing their identity and this information is outweighed by their data protection rights.

RESOLVED – That in order to prevent the disclosure of information which was not for publication relating to any individual (paragraph 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended)), the disclosure of which would not be in the public interest, would not be fair and would be in breach of Data Protection principles, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of agenda item 2.

The Scrutiny Committee will discuss issues relating to alcohol services with current service users.

The Scrutiny Committee invited alcohol service users and carers to discuss their experiences of alcohol services and to give their views on potential improvements.

The following issues were identified for further consideration by the Scrutiny Committee as part of its Review:-

·         Problems with double diagnosis of alcohol dependency and mental ill-health.

·         Waiting lists for IAPT and other therapies.

·         Concerns about awareness amongst health professionals, particular GPs, of key symptoms of alcohol dependency, and the risk of missing opportunities for interventions.

·         Problems with the interaction between Job Centre, Work Programme providers and Department for Work and Pensions leading to benefit changes/ financial hardship.

·         The value of practical assistance and welfare support and the possibility of expansion of this activity.

·         The value of support for relatives and families.

RESOLVED – That the service users and carers be thanked for their contribution.