To receive any questions or petitions from members of the public
(NOTE: In accordance with the arrangements published on the Council’s website in relation to meetings of the Cabinet held remotely (Attending Scrutiny Committee), questions/petitions are required to be submitted in writing, to committee@sheffield.gov.uk, by 9.00 a.m. on Friday, June.)
Minutes:
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4.1 |
Ruth Milsom, on behalf of Sheffield Save Our NHS, asked the following questions:- |
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1. Unsafe Discharge to Care Homes- Are Covid+ patients still being discharged to Care Homes prior to completion of 14-day isolation period?
2. Trade Union Engagement - Have trade unions been invited to submit evidence to this 16th June meeting of the Scrutiny Committee? Will the relevant unions be involved in ensuring that improvements are expedited regarding working conditions, safety, and guaranteed pay for care workers? (Bearing in mind that some staff members have been reluctant to express concerns via the official workplace channels, for fear of disciplinary action - see for example the BBC report on Horizon Care staff concerns in Sheffield 3rd June 2020 - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-52834417)
3. Additional Funding - What are the criteria for additional money for care providers at this time? Is provision of full pay during isolation included in additional funding packages, and does this include staff on zero-hours contracts? Is additional funding available to all care settings in Sheffield? Following the initial release of 5% additional (Covid emergency) funding, can Sheffield City Council confirm that a further 5% minimum additional funding has been, is being, or will very soon be released to care providers to meet the Government's recommendation of 10%?
4. Test Track, Trace, Isolate - Going forward now that 'test, track, trace & isolate' (TTTI) is being implemented - how are the concerns about compliance raised by the Sheffield Community Contact Tracers pilot programme to be addressed? What measures can be put in place locally to ensure that the TTTI scheme is sufficiently robust to prevent significant localised outbreaks? How will Sheffield City Council, and the Director of Public Health in particular, be working with staff, operators of care services, and trade union representatives to ensure that all those who test positive are confident in complying fully with the best practice of TTTI? How will workers be reassured that self-isolating will not result in financial deprivation? How will contacts also be reassured on this point? What is being done to bring employers on-side with compliance, given that they have valid concerns about the effect of contact isolation on staffing levels? |
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4.2 |
The Chair said that the Trade Unions had been invited to submit evidence, along with a wide range of stakeholders, to this meeting and stated that “Test Track, Trace, Isolate” would be an item of business at the next meeting of the Committee to be held in July. The Chair stated that the rest of the issues raised in Ms. Milsom’s questions would be covered during the meeting, however if some questions were not answered, written answers would be provided. |