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Agenda and minutes

Venue: The Council Chamber, Town Hall, Upper Street, N1 2UD

Contact: Boshra Begum  Email: democracy@islington.gov.uk

Note: Due to a technical issue, we are unable to webcast this meeting. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. 

Items
No. Item

88.

Introductions

Minutes:

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and introductions were given.

89.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

None.

90.

Declaration of Substitute Members

Minutes:

None.

91.

Declarations of Interest

If you have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest* in an item of business:

§  if it is not yet on the council’s register, you must declare both the existence and details of it at the start of the meeting or when it becomes apparent;

§  you may choose to declare a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest that is already in the register in the interests of openness and transparency. 

In both the above cases, you must leave the room without participating in discussion of the item.

If you have a personal interest in an item of business and you intend to speak or vote on the item you must declare both the existence and details of it at the start of the meeting or when it becomes apparent but you may participate in the discussion and vote on the item.

 

*(a)Employment, etc - Any employment, office, trade, profession or vocation carried on for profit or gain.

 (b)Sponsorship - Any payment or other financial benefit in respect of your expenses in carrying out

  duties as a member, or of your election; including from a trade union.

 (c)Contracts - Any current contract for goods, services or works, between you or your partner (or a body

 in which one of you has a beneficial interest) and the council.

 (d)Land - Any beneficial interest in land which is within the council’s area.

 (e)Licences- Any licence to occupy land in the council’s area for a month or longer.

 (f)Corporate tenancies - Any tenancy between the council and a body in which you or your partner have

  a beneficial interest.

 (g)Securities - Any beneficial interest in securities of a body which has a place of business or land in the council’s area, if the total nominal value of the securities exceeds £25,000 or one hundredth of the total issued share capital of that body or of any one class of its issued share capital. 

 

This applies to all members present at the meeting.

 

 

Minutes:

None.

92.

Minutes of the previous meeting pdf icon PDF 268 KB

Minutes:

RESOLVED:

 

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 9 March 2023 be agreed as a correct record and the Chair be authorised to sign them.

93.

Chair's Report

Minutes:

The Chair thanked committee members for all of their work over the last municipal year.

 

The Chair advised that a representative of the Integrated Care Board had been invited to attend the next meeting to discuss matters relating to primary care.

94.

Public Questions

For members of the public to ask questions relating to any subject on the meeting agenda under Procedure Rule 70.5. Alternatively, the Chair may opt to accept questions from the public during the discussion on each agenda item.

Minutes:

None.

95.

External Attendees (if any)

Minutes:

None.

96.

Health and Wellbeing Board Update

Minutes:

Councillor Turan, Executive Member for Health and Social Care, provided a brief update.

 

The previous Health and Wellbeing Board meeting had considered the draft North Central London Population Health and Integrated Care Strategy and local priorities for health and care. The Board also received the Annual Public Health Report; the theme of this was on the health and wellbeing of young people and in particular considered the impact of Covid-19.

 

The Board had also been updated on the Health Determinants Research Collaborative (HDRC) project and had received the Adult Safeguarding Board Annual Report.

 

In relation to the Adult Safeguarding Board annual report, a member noted the importance of considering equalities issues alongside safeguarding matters; it was thought that adult safeguarding concerns were under-reported in some communities and there was a concern that some vulnerable people may not be receiving support as a result.

97.

Covid-19 Update, If Required

Minutes:

Jonathan O’Sullivan, Acting Director of Public Health, provided an update. A spring booster campaign was underway for those who were immuno-suppressed.

 

A member asked about the current number of Covid infections. In response, it was advised that national data was no longer available and the main source of data was now from hospital admissions. There were currently approximately 150 people in hospital with Covid-19 across North Central London, however the majority of these were not in hospital because of Covid-19. It was commented that the vaccination campaign had made a huge difference to outcomes, as had immunity from previous Covid infections. It was estimated that 90% of people had at least one prior Covid infection. Long Covid remained a concern, and there were 4 major strains circulating at the current time.

 

A member asked if the lack of ONS data on infections was concerning, and queried how any response to a new variant could be effective without national data. In response, it was advised that any new variant would transmit so fast that national testing data would not necessarily be a helpful tool in responding to this situation. Hospital admissions were considered to be an appropriate measure of severity.

 

A member expressed concern about vulnerable people self-isolating and the number of people with Long Covid. It was commented that many of those experiencing Long Covid tended to recover within 12 months, although this was not the case for all.  

98.

Moorfields Eye Hospital Performance Report pdf icon PDF 4 MB

Minutes:

The Committee received a presentation from Jon Spencer, Chief Operating Officer, and Sheila Adam, Chief Nurse and Director of Allied Health Professions, of Moorfields Eye Hospital.

 

The following main points were noted in the discussion:

 

·        The Committee noted that the overall performance of Moorfields Eye Hospital was very positive.

·        There were long wait times associated with cataracts procedures.

·        The Committee noted Moorfields’ new organisational strategy, which was focused on excellence, equity and kindness.

·        Moorfields was developing a new facility, Oriel, at the St Pancras Hospital site and all services would eventually relocate to the new facility. The new facility would be more modern and easier to navigate for those with visual impairments. The site was expected to open in 2027. In the meantime, Moorfields was continuing to develop services offered at the City Road site.

·        During the pandemic Moorfields had developed an online triage service that was available 9.00am until 9.00pm. It was considered that this innovative approach had been successful and allowed referrals to be made more efficiently. However, Moorfields were mindful of digital exclusion issues and would always offer a non-digital option. The organisation was also reviewing demographic data on who used the service to focus further engagement on under-represented groups.

·        The Committee commended Moorfields on the work of their “hand holding” volunteers who offered support to those attending day surgery.

·        Staff turnover at Moorfields was lower than at other hospitals. As a specialist service, it was considered that there were different workplace pressures associated with their work, in comparison to a general hospital.

·        A member noted that some Camden & Islington mental health patients had been moved out of borough, who were previously located at the St Pancras site. It was advised that Moorfields and other NHS partners were working to minimise the impact as much as possible.

·        Following a question on delays to services, it was advised that there was a very short waiting list for high risk procedures. The most serious medical issues were prioritised for treatment.

·        It was confirmed that the new Oriel development was not subject to a PFI agreement. A discussion was had on the financial aspects of the development; rising inflation was a risk.

·        It was asked if Moorfields carried out preventative work in the community, for example outreach work in care homes. In response, it was advised that this was not currently offered, however may be explored in future.

 

The Committee thanked Mr Spencer and Ms Adam for their attendance.

99.

Quarter 3 Performance Report - Adult Social Care pdf icon PDF 282 KB

Minutes:

John Everson, Director of Adult Social Care, introduced the report.

 

The following main points were noted in the discussion:

 

·        The Committee considered the performance indicators and noted the work underway to increase the number of direct payments and catch-up on Annual Reviews.

·        A stretch target had been set to increase the number of adults with learning disabilities into employment. It was noted that Islington was already comparatively ahead of other boroughs on this measure.

·        Following a question, it was advised that around 3,000 adults received long-term support from Adult Social Care.

·        It was advised that the council had high ambitions for adults with learning disabilities and sought to provide and broker meaningful employment opportunities. The council worked with partner organisations and businesses to support this, and sought to have conversations with young people and their carers at an early stage to discuss employment prospects. However, it was recognised that some people had very complex issues and may find it difficult to maintain employment. A member suggested that it might be possible to work with partners to create paid apprenticeships specifically for those with learning disabilities and additional needs.

·        The Committee requested further information on the number of adults with learning disabilities in employment, including the numbers employed and the opportunities they were moving into. The Committee also asked for more information on the ICEP service that supports adults with learning disabilities into paid employment.

·        It was explained that direct payments allowed residents to have more flexibility and choice around how their care service was delivered; this sometimes resulted in a more holistic care offer.  Age UK was able to offer support in navigating the direct payments system. A member asked if there were other organisations available to provide advice to residents on direct payments.

·        Following a question, it was advised that those entering care homes could be placed out of borough, however a number of local homes were undergoing works that should increase their capacity the end of the financial year.

·        Thirteen agency social workers had been supported in becoming permanent Islington employees. The Committee commented on the need for permanent social workers, preferably based locally.

·        A member noted that Dementia Action Week was 15-21 May 2023 and commented on the importance of this issue. Officers advised that the Islington Dementia Strategy was being developed and would be published later this year. This work could be shared with members at the time. A member asked how many Adult Social Care service users had dementia or Alzheimer’s.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the quarterly performance report be noted.

 

ACTIONS:

 

·        The Committee requested further information on the number of adults with learning disabilities in employment and the opportunities they were moving into. The Committee also asked for more information on the ICEP service that supports adults with learning disabilities into paid employment.

·        A member asked if there were organisations other than Age UK available to provide advice to residents on direct payments.

·        A member asked how many Adult Social Care service users had dementia or  ...  view the full minutes text for item 99.

100.

Scrutiny Review of Adult Social Care Transformation - Final Report pdf icon PDF 461 KB

Minutes:

The Committee considered the proposed recommendations and suggested the following amendments:

 

-        An amendment to clarify the recommendation on re-routing carers around Low Traffic Neighbourhoods to make their journeys more efficient.

-        A recommendation to support joint recruitment initiatives across the local health and care sector.

-        An amendment to confirm the aspiration to deliver the new ‘seven day service’ in house.

 

Officers noted the recommendations were in draft form and a further draft would be developed. It was advised that the final draft would be circulated by email. The Committee delegated authority to the Chair to agree the final version. The final report would then be submitted to a future meeting for agreement.

 

RESOLVED:

 

(i)               That the draft recommendations be endorsed, subject to the above amendments.

(ii)              That authority be delegated to the Chair to agree the final draft of the recommendations.

101.

Work Programme 2022-23

Minutes:

It was noted that a future work plan would be developed for 2023-24.

 

A member expressed concern at the legal situation surrounding the Whittington Hospital private finance initiative and suggested that the Committee may wish to consider the implications for local services when the Whittington next attend the committee.