Agenda and minutes

The Monitoring Officer noted that none had been received.

Members are asked to declare any interests they may have in the business to be discussed.

Councillor Joshi noted that he had a standing declaration in that his wife worked for the Reablement Team at Leicester City Council.

The minutes of the meeting of the Adult Social Care Scrutiny Commission held on 2 December 2021 have been circulated and the Commission is asked to confirm them as a correct record.

It was noted that an adjustment be requested to be made to the minutes of the previous meeting to read that the Members of the Commission recommended that the Chief Operating Officer consider the options for providing the Flu Jab to staff and that a formal response be requested on the practicalities of this recommendation.

It was also requested that the minutes reflect the 40% figure of the backlog of outstanding reviews be outlined.

AGREED:

That the minutes of the Meeting of the Adult Social Care Scrutiny Commission from 12 December 2021 be confirmed as a correct record.

The Monitoring Officer to report on any petitions received.

The Monitoring Officer noted that none had been received.

The Monitoring Officer to report on any questions, representations or statements of case.

The Monitoring Officer noted that none had been received.

The Head of Finance delivered the report on the Draft Capital Programme to the Commission.

It was noted that the Capital Programme covered any new additions to the programme of which there were none in Adult Social Care. There were current schemes and policy provisions which were detailed in the report which also covered the Extra Care Scheme.

As part of the discussions on the Draft Capital Programme Members of the Commission shared their concerns on the lack of progress on the Extra Care Provision scheme and requested reassurance from Officers that substantial progress on its development would be achieved over the next 12 months.

It was noted that significant work had been made before the consortium pulled out in 2021. Following this a soft market test had just been completed and currently the department were going through the evaluation processes. Once this was completed the proposal would aim to go to the market in a form that would have potential interest to the market. Furthermore, a virtual session with potential providers had been undertaken where there were 40 participants. The proposals would be taken to the Executive in the upcoming months, following which the procurement process would commence where it was anticipated contracts would be agreed in 9-12 months and the final build process was estimated to take 18 months.

Members of the Commission shared their disappointment in the extensive time process, the market dictating on public money and questioned whether the project would develop any further in the upcoming year. 

The Deputy City Mayor for Social Care and Anti-Poverty noted that everyone felt the same frustrations and that all legal options were being considered following the consortium pulling out and considered a range of alternative options. Resources had been dedicated towards achieving this and this result was not for a want of trying. Going forward the department would have to go through the full procurement process and there was a strong corporate desire to deliver this project.

Members of the Commission noted that over the last decade at this time of year the situation had been similar. With ever growing pressures on Adult Social Care and everyone associated to this department as a result of the rise in cost and fewer resources to deliver, this was a difficult and concerning situation the department finds itself in.

It was further noted that £9.3 million had been set aside for the Extra Care Schemes which will be spent over time. Officers also noted that this was considerably lower than the actual cost of the schemes and a substantial capital amount would need to be contributed to the development of Tilling Road and Hamelin Road by the developers.

Members of the Commission supported the provision of disabled toilets and changing rooms. The Chair echoed her support of these facilities and further noted that she was not a fan of the market. After the extensive work put in to develop the project further, the market had failed the department and she shared  ...  view the full minutes text for item 55.

The Strategic Director for Social Care and Education will provide the Commission with a verbal update on the latest Covid19 information.

Members of the Commission are recommended to note the update and pass any comments to the Strategic Director for Social Care and Education.

The Strategic Director for Social Care and Education provided an update to the Commission. It was noted that:

·         The infection rate was similar to that of this time last year which was the highest ever

·         Large number of homes had outbreaks of the virus

·         There were staff shortages and hospitals were under pressure

·         There were a small number of fatalities, but the number of deaths were within the 5-year average mortality rate.

·         All ICU patients in hospitals were unvaccinated

·         The system had existing winter pressures and additional strain from covid, services were just about coping

·         Everything was focussed on the day to day delivery of services this was resulting in a build-up of backlogs

·         There had been a significant concern on the uptake of the booster vaccination programme which was well below where it was hoped to be

·         A plan was being produced to ensure every care home has a clinician visit to administer the booster vaccine

·         There was still a strong emphasis on dealing with the vaccine hesitancy

It was further noted that the mandatory vaccination for everyone employed with a CQC registered service would be in place on 1 April 2022. The current statistics suggested that 1/6 staff had not yet had the first dose of vaccination, 1/5 had not yet had the second dose of vaccination and this could result in future staff shortages.

AGREED:

1)    That the Strategic Director for Social Care and Education be requested to continue with the work on encouraging the vaccination programme, and

2)    That the Strategic Director for Social Care and Education be commended for the continuous efforts.

The Strategic Director for Social Care and Education submits a report on the Mental Health Strategy 2021-25.

Members of the Commission are recommended to note the report and pass any comments to the Strategic Director for Social Care and Education.

The Head of Commissioning delivered a brief overview of the report on the Mental Health Strategy following the draft report coming of the report coming to the Commission in April last year.

The Chair noted that the action plan outlined in the report was reflective on what the service felt like to the Service User and it was important to obtain the additional funding to deliver the service. It was suggested that the integrated system gave the opportunity to provide funding for the delivery of the Mental Health Strategy.

It was further noted that following the challenges faced in the past by all it was anticipate that the service would require a robust strategy in this area.

AGREED:

1)    That the Strategic Director for Social Care and Education be thanked for the report, and:

2)    That the Mental Health Strategy be kept on the Work Programme.

The Strategic Director for Social Care and Education submits a report on the Carers Strategy Report.

Members of the Commission are recommended to note the report and pass any comments to the Strategic Director for Social Care and Education.

The Joint Integrated Commissioning Board Lead Officer introduced the report and provided the Commission with an overview and highlighted thae work that the service had delivered.

As part of the discussions it was noted that:

·         It was encouraging to see an increase in the number of people registering with their GP as a carer

·         The general overview was that carers are certainly under increased pressure as a result of the pandemic

·         Carers continued to provide excellent support to their loved ones

·         Although the support required by service users was different, it was suggested that family members providing care for their loved ones where the service user was comfortable was an area where investment should be directed.

·         A Co-productive nature of service delivery was absolutely necessary to the Service.

AGREED:

1)    That the Strategic Director for Social Care and Education be requested to provide future updates to the Commission on key developments in this service area, and;

2)    That the report be noted.

The Chair of the Task Group to provide a progress update on the ‘Cost of Care Scrutiny Review Work’.

The Chair of the Scrutiny Task Group Review provided the Commission with an update. It was noted that:

·         The majority of the evidence gathering process was complete

·         Details into the accounts for providers was being investigated

·         A draft report in the findings had been prepared and this would be reviewed following the Commission meeting and new findings.

The current work programme for the Commission is attached.  The Commission is asked to consider this and make comments and/or amendments as it considers necessary.

The Chair recommended that the following items be added to the Work Programme and that Officers be requested to provide reports to future Commission meetings:

·         The role of technology in delivering care

·         Deprivation of Liberty Protection

·         HealthWatch Leicester and Leicestershire

There being no items of urgent business the meeting closed at 7:25pm