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

Further Advice contact: Linda Walker, Interim Director of Legal and Monitoring Officer, Tel: 0207 364 4348

There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary interest.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Health Scrutiny Panel held on 20 February 2024.

The minutes of the Sub-committee meeting held on 20 February 2024 were approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record of proceedings.

Chairs Update

-      Noted that Nicola Lawrence, Heathwatch representative, will step down from the sub-committee and this was her last meeting. Nicola was thanked for her valuable contribution and expertise. Jessic Chiu is replacing and will be formerly introduced at the first meeting for municipal year 2024/25.

-      The Chair expressed concern over the removal of the Mental Health Achievements and Priorities item from the agenda. Officers were informed that agenda items are requested solely by the sub-committee and all items require prior approval from the Chair before removing.

The actions were received and noted.

The item could not be discussed as  Francesca Okosi was taken ill and a substitute was not available. Members requested a written response to questions be sent to ICB representatives for discussion at the first meeting of the municipal year. The Chair and sub-committee members agreed to progress to the next item.

RESOLVED that;

1.    A written response to the Members' questions on work force shortages will be presented to ICB representatives for discussion at the first meeting of the municipal year 2024/25.

TO FOLLOW

The Sub-Committee continued the discussion from the meeting on 20 February, which began with residents describing their experiences of maternity services provided in the borough. Tom Logan, Divisional Director of Operations, Women’s Health, began the presentation explaining that BARTS Health, in conjunction with Whipps Cross and Newham, provides maternity care for around 5000 women and babies annually. This takes place primarily in the  labour ward, although the Lotus Birth Centre which is midwife Led care and home births are also available.

The Royal London also provides care for women with chronic diseases through the Maternal Medicine Network, for support during and after their pregnancies as well as  specialist foetal medicine care and a diabetes clinic.

Sabrina Mubiru, Patient Experience Midwife, then provided information on the methods Royal London uses to improve the patient experience and reduce inequalities in healthcare. This includes enhancing the online booking system to now translate in 100 different languages, for ease of access to maternity care. Further work with improving referrals is ongoing to ensure the recommended timeline of nine weeks and six days is adhered to. Ms Mubiru stated that community partnership work with ‘Sister Circle’, ‘Maternity Mates’ and the Maternity Neonatal Voice Partnerships helps in enhancing service users' experience. Additional phones are now accessible in the labour  ward, and translators to ensure communication with patients is as easy as possible.

Monthly community engagement sessions are also available to hold antenatal education and peer to peer group sessions and alleviate any concerns and forward any referrals that are required. A Birth Reflection Clinic, run by Midwives is also available for women to explore difficult experiences post birth. MS Mubiru informed sub-committee members of the high-risk antenatal classes conducted by midwives for women of black and Asian and mixed ethnic origin, and the Health Inequalities task force, held monthly to discuss health inequalities within the sector.

Shereen Nimmo, Group Director of Midwifery, BARTS Health NHS Trust, then detailed the funding received to support two projects for the Somali community,  an engagement officer who works specifically for Somali residents and the women's inclusive team, who hold drop in services and visit residents at home to better understand their needs and assist in all aspects of women's care. Bengali health advocates are also on hand to assist mothers

Tristan Kerr, Director of Nursing and Governance, then informed sub-committee members of the 38 new midwives who have started since 2024, with a further six in training. One midwife, Stella Simon-Brown was awarded a National Silver Award for her 20 year contribution to midwifery by the Chief Midwifery Officer for England.

Dawn Cooper-Newman, Head of NEL LMNS Programmes, NHS, provided details on the 3 year delivery plan and the survey conducted by Healthwatch to build upon the equality and equities framework.

Sub-committee members were updated on the ongoing methods to improve patient outcomes and effectively manage patient flow at triage. The BSOTS, or Birmingham Symptom Specific Obstetric Triage System, has now being implemented, to enable rapid assessment for pregnant women,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.2

Filuck Miah, Senior Strategy and Policy Officer, informed the sub-committee that the Chair as agreed initial recommendations set out in the Health Scrutiny report, which will be presented at the first meeting of the municipal year. Mr Miah then gave an overview of the recommendations.

Recommendation 1:

The Council should actively prioritise initiatives aimed at enhancing visible representation of people with disabilities within the leisure Workforce and fitness programs.

Recommendation 2:

A more comprehensive approach for collection of data driven evidence on disability access and usage.

Recommendation 3:

Developing robust disability campaigns, co designed by disability groups to promote physical activities and sports for disabled residents.

Recommendation 4:

Work with disability groups to establish a Sports and Exercise Disability Forum.

Recommendation 5:

The Council's Leisure Centre service should collaborate  with Primary Care, health partners and the voluntary community sector, to support and increase access and referral points for people with disabilities and long term health conditions.

Recommendation 6:

Transitioning arrangements for specialized fitness and gym to mainstream leisure facilities.

Following the overview, members requested officers to be aware of that collection of data from disabled residents requires self-referral, which may not be forthcoming. Members also requested consideration of the proportionality within the Disability Forum and include a wide range of residents and sports.

The Chair then congratulated all members, co-optees, officers, and external guest for their participation for the last meeting of the municipal year and expressed gratitude for the meetings of the Health and Adults Scrutiny Sub-Committees.