Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were detailed above.

Members of the Joint 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.

Councillors Gordon and Walker declared personal interests in all matters under consideration as they are both members of the Pennine Care Foundation Trust.

Members of the public present at the meeting are invited to ask questions on any matter relating to the work or performance of the Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust.  A period of up to 30 minutes will be set aside for public questions.

There were no questions from members of the public

Minutes of the last meeting held 18^th June are attached.

It was agreed:

The minutes of the meeting held on the 18^th June 2015 be approved as a correct record.

Dan Smith, Area Consultant Paramedic, North west Ambulance Service will be in attendance to discuss the interaction between the Ambulance Trust and mental health services/service users.

Members of the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered a verbal presentation from Dan Smith Area Consultant Paramedic – Northwest Ambulance Service.  The presentation contained the following information:

•       Northwest ambulance service covers the North West footprint;33 Clinical Commissioning Groups, 1,420 GP practices, 29 Acute Trusts

•       1.3 million 999 calls per year

•       81% of red calls are answered within 8 minutes and 95% within 19 minutes

•       63% of patients arriving at A&E by ambulance in Greater Manchester end up in a hospital bed.

The Area Consultant Paramedic reported that the ambulance service has changed.  Paramedics now work differently; a paramedic pathfinder scheme has been introduced as well as community care pathway and community paramedics.

The Area Consultant Paramedic reported that paramedics now provide an enhanced treatment role.  Paramedics will often safely manage more patients at the scene, treat them at home or refer them to a community based service. 

The Area Consultant Paramedic reported that in 2014/15, 30% of the calls they responded to the patients was either left at home or with an alternative care package.  In 2015/16 that figure had risen to 42%.  Of the 500,000 calls responded to in the same period, 10% were defined as life threatening.

In response to a Member’s question with regards to the paramedic pathfinder scheme; the Area Consultant Paramedic reported that the scheme allows the paramedic to assess the patient and if required arrange to review the patient again after a period of two hours. 

The Area Consultant Paramedic reported that a number of calls are received from healthcare professionals, a large proportion of calls are received in the same period, causing peaks in demand.  The Ambulance Trust is working with other healthcare professionals to educate them in respect of this issue.

In respect of mental health, the Area Consultant Paramedic reported that in all areas there has been an increase in the percentage of 999 activity coded as suicide, self harm, overdose or mental health.  The Paramedic reported that any incident of overdose/self harm or acute mental illness would automatically be transferred to A&E.  Paramedics do also have powers with regards to the Mental Health Act or Mental Capacity Act when there is an immediate threat to life.  Paramedics will liaise with GPs and mental health services in respect of the most suitable place for a patient.

In response to a Member’s question, the Area Consultant Paramedic reported that the Ambulance service would classify a patient as a frequent caller, if they called the service four times in twenty eight days or twice in seven days.  The Ambulance service will work with patients categorised as frequent callers and assess what support is available must appropriate to their needs.

The Area Consultant Paramedic reported that the Greater Manchester Fire Service, Community Risk Intervention Team has been established to extend support to other emergency services.  The team will respond to NWAS low-priority calls including; falls in the home and instances where they can help  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

Ben Woffenden, Complaints Manager, Pennine Care Foundation Trust will attend the meeting. Report attached.

Members of the Committee considered a verbal presentation from Ben Woffenden, Complaints Manager, Pennine Care Foundation Trust.  The presentation contained the following information:

·         During Quarter 1, the Trust’s community healthcare services have received 31 complaints. This represents a decrease of 3 (9%) compared to the previous quarter.

·         In the same period, the Trust’s community healthcare services responded to 43 complaints. 95% (41 out of 43) of those complaints were responded to within the timescale agreed with the complainant

·         This quarter, the Trust’s mental health services have received 45 complaints. This represents an increase of 2 (5%) compared to the previous quarter.

·         In the same period, the Trust’s mental health services responded to 46 complaints. 93% (43 out of 46) of those complaints were responded to within the timescale agreed with the complainant.

The Complaints Manager reported that through the continued analysis of complaints received and responded to across all community health services, it was identified that several complaints involved a particular member of staff within Community Services Bury. The borough has been able to provide assurance that the identified theme has been addressed appropriately via HR procedures.   There was a significant increase in the number of complaints received in quarter 1 about Trafford Division; however there is no discernible reason for this.

There has been analysis of the complaints received and responded to within the quarter, to establish if there are any themes or trends:

·         Bury

There was a 33% reduction in the number of complaints raised about mental health services in Bury during the reportable quarter in comparison to the previous quarter.

Of the complaints received, there were three received about the Department of Psychiatry (in comparison for none received in the previous three quarters). That increase has been analysed and it is apparent that all three relate to different staff and issues. There is no trend apparent from the complaints responded to in the Quarter.

·         Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale

There was a 33% reduction in the number of complaints raised about mental health services in Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale during the reportable quarter in comparison to the previous quarter. Given the fluctuation experienced quarter on quarter over the past year, it is helpful to compare the number of complaints received this quarter with an average taken over the past year; 7 complaints on average have been received per quarter and 6 were received this quarter.

There have been three complaints this quarter and also last quarter received about the Department of Psychiatry. These have been considered to establish if there is a trend, which there is not; the cases relate to different members of staff and different issues.

·         Oldham

This quarter, Oldham mental health services have received 5 complaints. This was 3 more than received in the previous quarter. Whilst a significant percentage increase, it is notable that there has been quarter-on-quarter fluctuation in the number of complaints received in Oldham for the past 12 months. There is no discernible reason for the increase of 3  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

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 reported.