Agenda item

To consider a joint report of the Director of Adult Social Care and the Director of Public Health

The Mid-Year Portfolio Performance and Resource Report (PPRR) for the Adult Care and Health Portfolio is presented for consideration by the Committee. This provides a summary of progress in delivering the portfolio priorities, reform programme and other key projects in the first half of the year, with a particular focus on the second quarter (July to September). It includes forecast performance and financial data (where this is available) for the Portfolio, along with an update on the portfolio savings programme.

This report is based on the 2019/20 Portfolio Performance and Resource Agreement (PPRA), which was considered by the Committee on 2 July and approved by Cabinet on 23 July 2019.

The report is presented in the new streamlined format, which focuses on highlights and exceptions, reducing duplication through more cross-referencing and use of hyperlinks to other documents. Performance measures have been comprehensively reviewed for 2019/20 and latest data on all portfolio performance measures is included in the Appendix with performance and contextual narrative included by exception in the report.

Scrutiny Committee is asked to:

·         consider the Mid-Year Portfolio Performance and Resource Report;  

·         review the progress against delivering key projects, priority outcomes, targets and budgets for 2019/20;

·         highlight key areas of and responsibility for taking forward corrective action to address any performance or resource issues;

·         highlight any significant issues or changes to be fed back to the Cabinet alongside the Corporate Performance and Resource Report;

·         identify how areas of strong performance and good practice can be shared in other services.

Officer contact: Peter Owston / Paul Graham, 0161 474 3274 / 4674,  peter.owston@stockport.gov.uk / paul.graham@stocckport.gov.uk

A joint report of the Director of Adult Social Care and the Director of Public Health was submitted (copies of which had been circulated) providing the Mid-Year Portfolio Performance and Resource Report (PPRR) for the Adult Care and Health Portfolio. The report provided a summary of progress in delivering the portfolio priorities, reform programme and other key projects in the first half of the year, with a particular focus on the second quarter (July to September). The report also included a forecast on performance and financial data (where this was available) for the Portfolio, along with an update on the portfolio savings programme.

The Cabinet Member for Adult Care & Health (Councillor Jude Wells) attended the meeting to respond to questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         The format and presentation of the performance data was welcomed.

·         Concern was expressed that the Greater Manchester Clean Air Plan would become a means of generating revenue and that these resources would not be used to address air quality. It was suggested that there were easier and less expensive steps that could be taken to address air quality that stopped short of a charging scheme. In response it was suggested that there needed to be a significant change in the publics’ attitude toward car use to challenge the use of cars for short journeys. The significant impact of poor air quality on the health of the public, particularly the vulnerable, was reiterated and comment made about the likely lobbying against measures to address these concerns.

·         Councillors welcomed the decision to allow vulnerable residents to use the Community Transport Service to access GP appointments and comment was made that such travel requirements were likely to increase in the future through the centralisation of specialist NHS services. These services were cost effective investments.

·         There was discussion about the invaluable contribution of volunteers in supporting people in Stockport. It was commented that there were approximately 60,000 volunteers in Stockport, most of whom supporting organisations with less than £10,000 per annum income.

·         Concern was expressed about the reduction in levels of physical activity and there being an in increase in levels of anxiety. In response, caution was expressed about the robustness of the data underpinning this target, as it was drawn from a small sample phone survey. References was made to Greater Manchester campaigns including ‘That Counts’ that encouraged small amounts of activity.

·         Further information was sought on the geographical distribution of the increases in anxiety. In response it was stated that there appeared to be a link to deprivation. Targeted Preventative Alliance data indicating that the most common reason for contact was due to financial issues. It was important not to medicalise such anxiety, but often there was insufficient resources in other services to respond to this demand.

·         Further information was sought on the Disabled Facilities Grant and the significant underspend. In response it was stated that conversations were ongoing between Strategic Housing and Adult Social Care to ensure the best use was made of this capital resource.

·         Clarification was sought on the likely caused of the increase in Delayed Transfers of Care. In response it was suggested that current performance was a statistical anomaly as significant investment had been made to ensure transfers were as timely as possible although there was variation between acute providers. It was emphasised that performance in this area would continue to be a challenge.

·         Further information was sought on the deficit budget forecast. In response it was stated that some of the current overspend was due to investment in equipment and its rapid delivery in order to facility timely hospital discharge. Budgets would be reviewed at year end to ensure they were appropriate.

·         Reference was made to a recent King’s Fund report suggesting a ‘No Deal Brexit’ could place significant financial pressure on Public Health services. In response, assurance was given that the local health and care economy continued to plan for winter pressure, and the robustness of these plans was kept under review.

·         Information was sought on the impact of deprivation on flu vaccination rates. In response it was reported that the flu vaccination rates in Stockport did not necessarily follow patterns of deprivation, as was the case elsewhere in Greater Manchester, with the highest performing practice being in Brinnington (Dr Azmy). The best performance in Stockport was due to the hard work of GP practices.

·         Concern was expressed about the number of staff vacancies and staffing reductions in adult social care, particularly the impact on the aspiration for ‘person cantered care’, increasing caseloads and moral. In response, assurance was given that there was no requirement for savings to be made on vacancies, these were simply a reflection of the time taken to fill posts. It was commented that small changes to the internal organisation of departments and teams could lead to efficiencies that would provide more time to focus on care. It was also stated that there had been investment in Adult Social Care that was being used to recruit, but that this may take time to ensure the right posts were put in place.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.