Agenda and minutes

Councillors and officers to declare any interests which they have in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

Councillors and officers were invited to declare any interests which they had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

No declarations were made.

To consider a report of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer).

The report sets out the Scrutiny Review Panel Procedure Rules and suggests that the Panel should adopt them for the purpose of conducting the review.

The Panel are requested to formally adopt the Scrutiny Review Panel Rules for the purpose of conducting the review.

Officer Contact: Georgia Latham on 0161 474 3229 or email: Georgia.latham@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) requesting the Panel to formally adopt the Scrutiny Review Panel Procedure Rules for this review.

RESOLVED – That the Scrutiny Review Procedure Rules be adopted for this review.

To consider a report of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer).

The report provides an update on the discussions and suggestions proposed at the informal meeting held on 24 November 2021

The Panel are requested to note the report and formally agree the recommendations for the purpose of conducting the review.

Officer Contact: Georgia Latham on 0161 474 3229 or email: Georgia.latham@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided an update on the discussions and suggestions proposed at the informal meeting held on 24 November 2021.

Members commented on the importance of Mental Health Services and noted the relationship between poor mental health and its effect on physical health, however agreed the area would be too great to encompass into the scope of this review.

RESOLVED – (1) agreed that the Scrutiny Review be undertaken as two half day sessions, the first of which would be focussed on Primary Care (GP’s) and second focussed on Secondary Care (Hospitals).

(2) requested that Ben Fryer be appointed as the general lead officer.

(3) agreed that Gillian Miller be appointed to take lead and co-ordinate witnesses/ evidence for the Primary Care session and Angela Dawber be appointed to take lead and co-ordinate witnesses/ evidence for the Secondary Care session.

(4) agreed to include Healthwatch as a witness to incorporate the voice of the resident.

To consider a report of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer).

The report outlines the proposed scope and brief for the review.

The Panel is requested to determine the scope of the review and outline any areas which they wish to scrutinise further.

Officer Contact: Georgia Latham on 0161 474 3229 or email: Georgia.latham@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which aimed to assist the Panel to scope the review and determine the areas which they wish to explore and scrutinise further as part of the review of Access to Health Services.  

RESOLVED – That approval be given to scope of the review.

To consider a report of the Head of Strategic Planning, Stockport NHS Foundation Trust.

The report provides an overview of access to Trust services, how services have changed during Covid-19 and plans to recover activity to pre-pandemic levels.

The Panel is requested to note and comment on the report.

Officer Contact: Angela Dawber on 0161 419 4016 or email: Angela.Dawber@stockport.nhs.uk

The Head of Strategic Planning, Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which provided an overview of access to Trust services, outlined how services had changed during Covid-19 and plans to recover activity to pre-pandemic levels.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To provide Members with the opportunity to discuss the information and evidence presented by colleagues, receive responses to questions relating to the scope of the review and formulate recommendations.

The Chair invited Members to discuss the information and evidence presented by colleagues at the Stockport NHS Foundation Trust.

Karen James (Chief Executive, Stockport NHS Foundation Trust) and Jackie McShane (Director of Operations, Stockport NHS Foundation Trust) attended the meeting to respond to questions from councillors.

The following comments were made/issues raised: -

·      Welcomed the honesty of the presentation and level of detail provided.

·      Congratulated staff for the recent outcome of the CQC urgent and emergency services inspection.

·      Welcomed the service improvements and commented on the quality of leadership.

·      Recognised the impact of COVID-19 on wait times and challenges that it had presented to services and staffing levels.

·      Enquired about the impact of Primary Care patient referral delays and Secondary Care wait times.

·      Welcomed the use of the independent sector as a means to alleviate demand pressure and reduce wait times, however raised concerns in relation to the impact of using the independent sector on NHS budgets in both the short and long term.

·      In response to a question relating to booking system, it was stated that the system was a national booking system that enabled services to receive referrals electronically. The referrals were centrally streamed and co-ordinated to ensure that patients were referred to the service most appropriate to meet their care needs. Members were advised that there was ongoing service transformation work which was focussed on improving the booking system as it was acknowledged that there had been technical issues which had included patients receiving letters containing incorrect information.

·      Members enquired about the number of staff employed by the Foundation Trust in Stockport. In response, it was stated that there were over 5000 members of staff currently employed with the majority of these doctors and nurses. Members were advised that the Trust were investing in the medical workforce to ensure they were able to meet demand, however it was noted that recruitment was a challenge in specialist fields and as a result, the Trust were exploring recruitment overseas.

·      In response to a question in relation to the location of the green sites, it was agreed that this would be shared with Members following the meeting.

·      Welcomed the introduction and continuation of virtual outpatient appointments to manage demand, however raised concerns on behalf of residents who lacked the skill, confidence or equipment to access services in this way.

·      In response, it was stated that face to face consultations were available in cases where a patient could not attend a virtual consultation, however patients were encouraged to seek support from friends and family to assist them, where possible, and the voluntary sector was supporting residents who were digitally excluded to become digitally included.

·      Members requested that access figures in relation to virtual outpatient appointments be shared following the meeting.

·      In response to a query relating to ambulance wait times, it was acknowledged that wait times for ambulances was an issue across Greater Manchester and the Trust were exploring ways in which this could be improved. It was agreed that information in relation to handover wait times between ambulances arriving and patients being seen would be shared with Members following the meeting.

·      Recognised the long term impact of COVID on the health of residents and welcomed the proposals for a long COVID service. Members requested that information in relation to the long COVID services be shared following the meeting.

·      Noted that people were sicker than they were pre-COVID as many residents had chosen not to access health services in the height of the pandemic and raised concerns of the impact of this on NHS services in the long term.

·      In response to a query in relation to the While You Wait service, it was stated that the While You Wait service was a three-month pilot which aimed to support patients whilst they were waiting for treatment. Members were advised that the Stockport pilot was the only one in Greater Manchester following  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

To agree the dates of future meetings and the timescales for undertaking the review.

RESOLVED – That the Strategic Head of Service (Legal & Democratic Governance and Monitoring Officer) make arrangements for the next meeting scheduled on 9 February 2022.