Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence are listed above.

Councillor FitzGerald, Chair of Health Scrutiny began by welcoming all members to the first meeting of the municipal year. All Councillors and officers then introduced themselves.

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.

There were no declarations of interest.

The minutes from the meeting held on 21 March 2022 are attached for approval.

Document Pack Page 6 of the minutes should be amended to hysteroscopy.

Subject to the above amendment the minutes of the meeting held on 21^st March 2022 were agreed as an accurate record.

Matters arising: In relation to Councillor Pilkington’s request on hysteroscopy, Will Blandamer reported that he has been in touch with the divisional manager and a response is still to be received.

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. This period may be varied at the discretion of the chair.

There were no member questions.

Will Blandamer, Executive Director of Strategic Commissioning will provide an overview.

Will Blandamer, Executive Director of Strategic Commissioning provided an overview of the current changes and priorities in the Health and Care System.

A copy of the presentation is attached.

Questions and comments were then received from members of the Committee.

Discussions took place regarding the new structure of the partnership, in response Will Blandamer advised it is not one organisational structure and it is a partnership function that includes representatives from many services together with shared approaches.

Discussions about the Coroners Service were received, in response Will Blandamer advised that the Coroners Service is not within the structure presented. However, the Coroners service does continue to be involved and contributes to processes.

Questions took place regarding the locations of the five neighbourhood teams as there are six townships in Bury. Will Blandamer reassured the committee that no township will miss out, four of the teams cover each township and one covers two townships (the teams reflect the 6 towns, Prestwich, Whitefield, Bury, Radcliffe, and Ramsbottom and Tottington).

Members questioned the reasoning for linking the most deprived and affluent township together. Will Blandamer, did assure members that the Radcliffe model is the most developed team and is working well but will return to Committee with an answer.

Members were assured that other Greater Manchester Authorities had similar architecture to what was presented as ‘Burys’ Version’. Members discussed the importance of similar architecture as many residents use out of borough services for Health and care, an example being, attending Manchester or Bolton Hospital for Maternity Services.

The Committee sought assurances on how Bury will be fairly represented in the Greater Manchester framework. Will Blandamer, assured members that the Greater Manchester framework has supported investments in previously underfunded areas in Bury such as Mental Health Services. It was emphasised that work will only be done at a Greater Manchester level, each District has a place based lead with an accountability to the Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board (ICB).  This means the locality is part of the formality of the decision making of the Greater Manchester ICB and for Bury this is Geoff Little, Chief Executive.

Councillor Moss questioned about GPs and access for residents of Bury some of who attend GP’s in different Boroughs. In response Councillor Pilkington, Deputy Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing advised the Committee that there is a difference between registered and resident population in relation to GP practices. Most services, for example, community services are provided on a resident basis regardless of where their General Practice is located.

It was agreed:

1.    Will Blandamer to provide the detail for why the two townships have been placed together.

2.    Will Blandamer, Executive Director of Strategic Commissioning be thanked for his update and presentation.

Report attached.

Councillor FitzGerald, Chair of Health Scrutiny introduced the report and opened to members to any questions.

Members raised that Health Watch would be welcome and should be invited to future Committees as outlined in the outline report.

Members agreed that some small training sessions and/or sharing of documents to develop learning to be shared with members.

It was agreed:

1.    Following the next meeting a survey to identify training requirements to be circulated.

2.    For documents to be shared with the Committee and where possible the offer of lunchtime learning sessions.

3.    Health Watch to be invited to the next meeting to provide an update.

Attached for discussion.

Councillor Fitzgerald invited comments from members of the Committee to be included in the forward planner and is attached.

It was agreed that:

1.    Items will be split between areas for regular review (which will link to previous reports) and one-off activities. 

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

There was no urgent business.