Agenda item

9.1

The Chair, (Councillor Ruth Milsom), advised that there were no representatives from the Integrated Care Board (ICB) present to update the Sub-Committee.  She drew the attention of Members to a report of March 2022 which was tabled at the meeting and subsequently published as a supplement on the Council’s website, entitled “Response to Scrutiny Recommendations on Continence Services”. This had outlined the NHS response to the findings of a Member working group to the Healthier Communities & Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee (the predecessor of the Health Scrutiny Sub Committee) and had provided the recommendations to improve Continence Services which the Sub-Committee wished to monitor.

9.2

The meeting adjourned for a short break and the webcast was paused to enable Members to read the report and familiarise themselves with its recommendations.

9.3

The meeting reconvened, the webcast restarted, and the Chair explained that the Sub-Committee had expected a further update on work towards achieving the recommendations of the 2022 report, but this had not been forthcoming from the ICB on this occasion.

9.4

Members expressed their disappointment and frustration at the lack of reported progress.  They had appreciated Dr Zak McMurray attending the Sub Committee in December 2023 to provide an update but as he had advised that he was not directly connected to the service, a further update from the relevant staff had been scheduled.  Members agreed that the recommendations should be treated as urgent and an appropriate person from the ICB should be prepared to interact with the Sub Committee.  It was noted that there was a strong contrast between this service and the Step-Down service discussed in Item 8 with regards to the comparative importance given to patient dignity.  It was also felt that issues with the supply chain were used as an excuse.

9.5

Members discussed their desire to be informed of the outcome of the issues raised in the public question by Mr Sugar at the meeting of the Sub Committee in December 2023, which was being dealt with by the ICB as a formal  complaint. Members requested that Officers write to Mr Sugar to keep him updated and to thank him for his contribution.

9.6

Laurie Brennan, Head of Policy and Partnerships, advised the Sub-Committee that he shared their disappointment and was keen to further develop the Council’s relationship with the new NHS infrastructure and identify new ways of working to enable them to appreciate the positive role that Scrutiny can play.  He advised that he would follow this up with the ICB and would also add the topic to the work programme for the first Sub-Committee meeting of the upcoming municipal year.  He suggested that the topic also be considered further in the workshop on End-of-Life care which his team were in the process of scheduling.

9.7

RESOLVED: that the Sub-Committee:

(a)  Requests senior ICB representatives attend the first Sub Committee meeting of the 2024/25 municipal year to give a further update regarding the implementation of the agreed recommendations of the working group on Continence Services and;

(b)  Expects further communication to take place between Officers and the ICB to encourage positive engagement with Scrutiny.