Members are reminded to consider the categories of interest in the Code of Conduct for Members to determine whether they have an interest in any agenda item and any action they should take. For further details, please see the attached note from the Monitoring Officer.

Members are reminded to declare the nature of the interest and the agenda item it relates to. Please note that ultimately it’s the Members’ responsibility to declare any interests and to update their register of interest form as required by the Code.

If in doubt as to the nature of your interest, you are advised to seek advice prior to the meeting by contacting the Monitoring Officer or Democratic Services

Nil items.

To be notified at the meeting.

Nil items.

RESOLVED

That the unrestricted minutes of the meeting of the Sub-Committee held on 30^th November 2021 be approved as a correct record of the proceedings subject to formal ratification at the next meeting.

The Chair:

v  Informed the Sub-Committee that due to unforeseen circumstances and consequent exceptionally busy demands on members, the meeting was being held online which meant that according to the current formal terms of reference the meeting is not formally quorate and as a result the status of this meeting will be recorded as advisory. Nevertheless, it was noted that since the Sub-Committee has no executive decisions to take it would not affect the determination of any of the business to be transacted at this meeting.

The Sub-Committee received and noted the Action Log as noted that:

v  The mental health recommendations are outstanding and the Chair intends to liaise with service to agree actions and the Sub-Committee will be updated in due course.

v  The visit to Cazabourn ward in East Ham had been delayed due to the Covid -19 restrictions on visitors to the inpatient units the East Ham Care Centre is currently closed for visits. The centre will re-open for visits from mid-March onwards and the Sub-Committee will be advised of dates from week commencing 21^st March 2022.

v  The briefing on provisions that have been put in place to support people who used to use Meals on Wheels had been prepared for circulation.

v  Due to growing concerns over new covid variant Omnicron, it is advised that covid updates are circulated to regularly to Sub-Committee as information.

The Sub-Committee noted that the Council (i) and its health partners are responsible for commissioning and delivering appropriate care, support, and assistance to people with learning disabilities that live in the Borough; (ii) is committed to enabling people with learning disabilities to maintain their independence with services ranging from giving advice and information through to long-term residential care.  The main points of the discussions arising from the questioning on the presentation maybe summarised as follows:

The Sub-Committee:

v  Was reminded that a Health scrutiny challenge session took place on the 10^th March 2020 reviewing “How health and social care is supporting adults with a learning disability to live independent lives in Tower Hamlets”, focusing on three main areas of the Learning Disability Strategy: Health, Accommodation and Employment.

v  Noted that due to the impact of the pandemic, the Sub-Committee were interested in revisiting the same three areas in February 2021. An updated report that included an impact assessment of the pandemic for the learning disability population was discussed at the Health & Adults Scrutiny Sub-Committee meeting.

v  Noted that a report was taken to Cabinet on the 15th December 2021, that included an update and action plan based on all recommendations from both the March 2020 and Feb 2021 Health & Adults Scrutiny Sub-Committee meetings.

v  Was advised that work to take these forward has continued throughout the pandemic with progress made in these areas reflected within the action plan.

v  Noted that the NHS will now be offering a mixture of face-to-face, telephone and online GP appointments, and were reassured to hear that if patients need to be seen face-to-face, they will be.  The Sub-Committee indicated that the NHS should (i) continue to offer face-to-face appointments; (ii) design a new service model which needs to be planned carefully and with close engagement with those communities who will be most affected.

v  Noted that It's always important to the Royal London that they hear from patients whether the feedback is good or not. As whilst the Royal London is proud of its customer service, it is accepted that sometimes they fall short of the mark and if this has happened and a patient has  experienced poor service, the Royal London wants to know so that they can deal with any concerns as quickly as possible. As the sooner they are told then the sooner they can assign someone to investigate the complaint and resolve it.

v  Noted that the NHS use a P5 category that identifies any patient as having requested to remain on the waiting list but to defer treatment because of their concerns about COVID-19.

v  Noted that during the spread of COVID-19 hospitals had to postpone non-emergency operations to avoid putting patients at risk and ensure that hospital resources, beds, and equipment are available to treat patients who are critically ill with COVID-19.  However, the NHS as it has gradually reintroduced planned operations have produced advice for patients waiting for surgery to address concerns and provide guidance on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.1

The Sub-Committee noted (i) that Post-Covid syndrome, also known as Long Covid, is multi-system in nature.  Patients often present with clusters of symptoms, often overlapping, which may change over time (ii) there is still uncertainty in what is known about the long-term effects of Covid -19 and only as evidence emerges, will there begin to be a greater understanding about the prevalence and recovery patterns following Covid -19. A summary of the questions and feedback provided is outlined below:

The Sub-Committee:

v  Understood that in recovery, there is an opportunity to create a healthier, more resilient society, by ensuring that patients are provided with the tools to be able manage their long-term conditions better. 

v  Noted that part of the strategy to assist recovery aims to enable Primary Care to stratify patients with long terms conditions in order to help prioritise patients who are at the highest risk of an exacerbation.

v  Was informed that the proposals represent a marked shift away from the focus on competition that underpinned the coalition government’s 2012 reforms, towards a new model of collaboration, partnership, and integration. At the same time, removing some of the competition and procurement rules could give the NHS and its partners greater flexibility to deliver joined-up care to the increasing number of people who rely on multiple services.  However, it is also important to recognise the limitations of what legislation can achieve. It is not possible to legislate for collaboration and co-ordination of local services. This will require changes to the behaviours, attitudes and relationships of staff and leaders right across the health and care system.

v  Commented that whilst adult social care has demonstrated its value throughout the pandemic it is important to recognise the pressures facing social care and welcomed a commitment to reform. However, felt the proposals do not address the urgent need to put social care on a sustainable, long-term financial footing to ensure social care can best support people to live the lives they want to lead.

v  Agreed it was important with regard to social care that there was affordable, high quality, sustainable and joined up care that meets people’s needs.

v  Agreed that self?isolation has caused a negative impact on people's mental health the separation from loved ones, loss of freedom, boredom, and uncertainty can cause a deterioration in an individual's mental health.  As they have been placed in a situation or an environment that may be new and can be potentially damaging to their health.  In addition, Covid has had drastic negative effects on the more vulnerable individuals in the community. Physical isolation at home among family members can put such people at serious mental health risk. It can cause anxiety, distress, and induce a traumatic situation for them. vulnerable people can be dependent on others for their daily needs, and self?isolation can critically damage a family system. Those people living in nursing homes can face extreme mental health issues.

v  Agreed that this Impacts on people's physical  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.2

The Chair please on record her thanks to Members and Officers for their invaluable support and contributions to the work of the Sub-Committee and the scrutiny process over the past year.  Then with no other business to discuss the Chair called this meeting to a close.