Agenda item
Questions from public
Minutes:
The Board received and considered the following questions from the public which may be summarised as follows:
- Many residents in Tower Hamlets live in a high-rise accommodation and are concerned about social distancing. Therefore, registered providers of social housing need to put up notices in the appropriate type face and reference the need to wear face coverings to limit the spread of infections through respiratory droplets. In response it was noted that Tower Hamlets Homes have designed a revised safety poster in association with public health colleagues’ arm in consultation with residents.
- How does the Board propose to respond to the development of a primary care led Covid-19 Pathways to Recovery given that the latest reports confirm that particularly those residents with a Bangladeshi background are at much higher risk of severe illness and death? Therefore, Tower Hamlets urgently needs a local culturally sensitive test and trace system in addition to any arrangements made centrally by the government. In response it was noted that the Tower Hamlets scheme is a culturally and language appropriate scheme including (i) the swabbing of the nose(ii); the antibody test and (iii) vaccination for Covid-19 as and when it becomes available. This local scheme has been developed in conjunction with the Clinical Effectiveness Group at Queen Mary’s, this multidisciplinary team includes GP clinical leads, clinical facilitators, data analysts and researches.
- Regarding the transition for dental practices towards the resumption of the full range of dental provision what is being done to support them to prevent a massive backlog of essential treatment; In response It was noted that there has been national guidance around dentistry and optometry. However, regarding the issue of ensure that surgeries are accessible this question will be raised at the regional level as the commissioning of dentistry optometry does not sit with the local Clinical Commissioning Group.
- A draft report from the Independent Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (iSAGE) says that the government track, and trace system needs a radical overhaul because it is “not fit for purpose. Whereas in Tower Hamlets GPs have always been ahead of the game and they were thinking about contact tracing and tracking before it became a national programme
- Tower Hamlets needs to do is make sure the local programme aligns with what is coming through nationally. However, together the Board Members and Stakeholders can develop a programme for Tower Hamlets that really works for residents and addresses some of the risks of and gaps of the national programme.
- Regarding the disproportionate effect of COVID-19 on BAME communities and risk assessments for the BAME employees. It was noted that one of the key issues is that whilst evidence indicates disparities between communities. It does not adjust for those residents who have a range of medical conditions. Therefore, in terms of risk assessments employers need to identify how people's specific vulnerabilities impact upon any risk assessment which is something that has been discussed by the Councils Corporate Leadership Team.
- It was important to make sure that we are giving sort of tailored and specific advice for residents e.g. when the national guidance for a specific cohort of people changed locally a more cautious and safe approach has been urged
- The Council health messages regarding ovid-19 has been extremely positive/accessible and it would be of benefit for a coordination of such public health messages across all the Boards Membership.
In conclusion, the Chair stated that she is grateful for all the contribution’s at tonight’s meeting and the work that has gone into preparing for this meeting and looked forward to working with partners and stakeholders .