Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence are listed above.

Members of Health Scrutiny Committee are asked to consider whether they have an interest in any of the matters on the agenda and if so, to formally declare that interest.

Councillor FitzGerald declared a prejudicial interest due to being employed as the Head of Finance at Health Innovation Yorkshire and Humber.

The minutes from the meeting held on 21^st January 2024 are attached for approval.

The minutes of the meeting held on 24^th January 2024 were agreed as an accurate record

Matters arising: Chloe Ashworth, Democratic Services provided an update on the establishment of a Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee for Bury, Oldham, Rochdale and Salford. Oldham Council, who will be hosting the Committee have provided assurances that the Terms of References will be amended to reflect Burys concerns regarding waiving political proportionality at the first meeting and ensuring that one member from each local authority is present for the meeting to be quorate.

Questions are invited from members of the public present at the meeting on any matters for which this Committee is responsible.

There were no public questions.

A period of up to 15 minutes will be allocated for questions and supplementary questions from members of the Council who are not members of the committee.

There were no member questions.

Attached. Adam Webb,  Chief Operating Officer, Bury Healthwatch to update.

Adam Webb, Chief Operating Officer, Bury Healthwatch attended to present an update to the Committee.

Key updates included an outline of the projects currently being undertaken:

·         Pharmacy provision

·         Pharmacy First initiative

·         Women’s health and menopause

·         Prescriptions project

·         Facebook live information sessions

Issues raised recently by members of the public are:

·         Accessing the NHS App

·         GP access

·         Sexual health services and information available on the internet

·         Access to appointments for contraception and HRT

·         Access to dentistry and understanding of this

·         Autism and ADHD Services and follow up services

·         Medicine shortages

Councillor Pilkington highlighted that the report states there are roles available on the Board of Directors and encouraged members to consult anyone who may be suited for the roles.

Will Blandamer Executive Director provided assurance to the committee that Healthwatch has provided effective challenge and the voice of engagement with communities and the Council takes all their findings seriously.

Members were invited to take questions and the following matters were raised:

Members discussed the logistics of the Children and Young People projects and the volunteering of young people. In response Adam Webb, advised there are different opportunities planned:

·         Enter and review programme – a visit to the CAMHS with a Young Person who has experienced the service

·         Looking to involve young people in Healthwatch governance to produce resources for other young people

A Councillor raised he was concerned regarding shortages of medicines. In response Adam Webb advised, it is a concern to raise with the service directly, however Bury’s Healthwatch has been working with other Greater Manchester Healthwatch’s regarding the issues.

Members discussed the Enter and Review process and were informed, it is a statutory responsibility but have only started these within the last two years. The re   views are currently focused on care homes. Their purpose is to speak to residents, staff and relatives and the most recent review was to Killalea. So far all visits have been announced however there is a  legal right to do it unannounced.

Members raised the low amount views on Healthwatch’s recent YouTube videos. In response Adam Webb advised the figure is not always reflective of views as it may have been re-uploaded and some videos may be more useful to the public at a later date.

A member questioned the delivery of menopause awareness in Asian communities. Adam Webb advised that Healthwatch is placing specific focus on groups that may be harder to reach. Methods such as giving people space to speak outside of public forums and groups is a way to engage with groups of people who may not wish to share in a public setting.

Councillor Fitzgerald highlighted that there is a lack of support resources for menopause awareness in different languages and suggested members may wish to fund towards the creation of these in the new municipal year.

Members held discussions regarding pre-paid prescriptions and suggested this could be better advertised within pharmacies.  

It was agreed:

1.    Members note the report and update.

2.    The Bury Healthwatch report to be  ...  view the full minutes text for item HSC.6

Jon Hobday, Director of Public Health to provide an update. Presentation attached.

Jon Hobday, Director of Public Health attended to provide a presentation to the Committee. The presentation was circulated to all members of the Committee in advance of the meeting.

Members were invited to ask questions and key concerns and points raised by the Committee were:

·         Links between housing and health inequalities

·         The links between health inequalities and paying the real living wage

·         Members raised queries regarding ethnicity, disabilities and gender within the data set

·         Members discussed the physical and food strategy.

·         A member highlighted the Places for Everyone Plan and its link to fast food and takeaways, Members were informed that work is taking place with the Planning Department.

Councillor FitzGerald, Chair suggested the work surrounding fast food and licencing would be useful for the Committee to continue to review.

It was agreed:

·         To note the update

Jane Case, NHS Bury to provide an update. Presentation attached.

Will Blandamer, Director provided an overview as to the background of the presentation. Members were informed that the Health Scrutiny has a particular responsibility to hold the NHS to account and it is important to raise the profile and highlight challenges withing children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing.

Jane Case Bury NHS attended and spoke through the presentation that was circulated to member in advance of the meeting.

The presentation covered the following topics:

·         Myhappymind programme over 72% of primary schools have taken up this offer

·         Bury digital app

·         The Bury Children and Young People Mental Health System 2023

·         Bury getting health pathways

·         Bury CAMHS

·         Workforce update

·         A member highlighted that as chair of governors, the impact of ‘myhappymind’ is positive in school

Members were invited to ask questions and the following themes and topics were raised:

Cllr Pilkington, representing the Cabinet Member Health and Wellbeing outlines that the language used is much more positive and welcomed this language to continue.

A member highlighted the actions from Spectrum Gaming and asked for a completion date. Members were informed that some actions are outside of the scope of the Council and this has been communicated.

Discussions took place regarding the Councils strategic partner, Bury2gether in which Will Blandamer, Executive Director advised that the Council is committed to working with Bury2gether.

It was agreed:

1.    Jane Case, NHS Bury will send out the interactive notice board link

2.    Jane Case, NHS Bury made an offer to attend CYP Scrutiny Committee in the new municipal year.

Councillor FitzGerald, Chair to update the Committee.

Councillor FitzGerald advised committee members that the next GMCA Agenda will covering the budget position. The Chair highlighted the current GM NHS Budget deficit.  Councils are yet to understand the implications of this and because of the timings it will not be considered during this committee year.

Once the report is made available this will be shared with all Health Scrutiny members for formal input from Committee members.  The meeting is scheduled for 13/03/24 and therefore questions must be received by 11/03/24 before 5:00pm.  If the public can attend Committee members are invited to ask a question at this meeting.

It was agreed:

·         Papers will be circulated following the meeting.

Any other business which by reason of special circumstances the Chair agrees may be considered as a matter of urgency.

Councillor FitzGerald took the opportunity to highlight that the Health Scrutiny Committee for 2023/24 had good debates and engagement and wished to thank officers and committee members for their attendance and support over the municipal year.