Agenda item

Update to the Committee on current and forthcoming issues in this portfolio.

4.1       The Committee received a written report from Councillor Tim Mitchell (Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health) who provided a short verbal update on current and forthcoming priorities in his portfolio.

4.2       The Committee discussed the following topics in detail:

•           the new building strategy for St Mary’s Hospital;

•           planning for the wind-down of vaccination centres;

•           provision for outpatients and acute care;

•           statistics on vaccinated and unvaccinated people in the City;

•           the White paper: People at the Heart of Care, bidding for funding and where the money should be allocated;

•           compulsory vaccinations for care home staff and workforce planning;

•           plans for the Carlton Dean redevelopment; and

•           updates on the Beachcroft contract.

4.3       Concerning the listed outpatients building at St Mary’s Hospital, the Committee sought clarification on the strategy to upgrade the building.  The Cabinet Member advised the Committee that unfortunately the issue had not been resolved and it was a matter for Planning.  However, that the Cabinet Member felt that the building should be fit for purpose and was not convinced of its suitability.

4.4       The Committee discussed the falling rates of Omicron and COVID-19 generally and queried the Council’s plans for reducing the vaccination infrastructure, including centres and pop-up centres; and if there was an assumption that this would now be reduced and wound-down.  The Cabinet Member advised the Committee that it was an NHS matter, and the Council was very much in the hands of the NHS.  The Cabinet Member informed the Committee that in his view the Council would move to a model where COVID-19 vaccinations would be delivered as a part of business as normal and would involve GP surgeries, pharmacies, and support from Primary Care.

4.5       Concerning out of borough outpatient care, the Committee discussed transportation for frail patients, and the costs to patients.  The Committee sought clarification on how the Cabinet Member was informed when such provisions were moved out of Westminster.  The Cabinet Member confirmed that patients would be asked to travel further whilst the acute sector caught up and that NHS England had invested money in the private sector in order to bring down NHS waiting times. 

4.6       The Committee queried the partnership change for outpatient testing.  The Cabinet Member stated that he was not aware of any changes to the partnership and would have been informed of any such changes but would confirm and report back to the Committee.

4.7       The Committee requested that a map be provided of the locations where Westminster residents are being sent for outpatient care.

4.8       Members of the Committee discussed the number of unvaccinated residents (44%).  The Committee noted that the council was working with health partners to improve vaccination number and queried if the council should know who these individuals are, as the numbers did not seem to be improving.  The Cabinet member confirmed that 61% of residents had been vaccinated, he confirmed that the council did not know who had been vaccinated, however the council had been working very closely with health partners to increase vaccine take up numbers.

4.9       The Committee sought further information on the white paper update, the available funding and plans to bid for money.  Responding to the Committee’s query Gareth Wall, Director of Integrated Commissioning advised the Committee that there was some money the council anticipated and would come in waves over the next 3 years.  He confirmed that there would be an initial £900,000 due next year and there were some criteria regarding how this would be distributed.  Mr Gareth Wall confirmed that there would be some work to ensure that there was a deep understanding of the cost of care, the implication on the market and where any gaps are identified.  He noted that as the remaining funding come through to the council ensuring that it is distributed in a way that fills any identified gaps.

4.10     The Committee discussed the roll out of vaccinations for members of staff in the care sector.  The Cabinet Member confirmed that the council had been working closely with Care Home providers and achieved high vaccination rates.  The Committee also discussed privately employed personal carers and the fact that they are not regulated.  Mr Gareth Wall confirmed that whilst this was correct the council were working will all carers to ensure that the spirit of the mandate was carried out and encouraged all careers working with the vulnerable to be vaccinated.

4.11     The Committee queried the support for carers as discussed at the last meeting. The Cabinet member confirmed that the council already supported carers and he had regular meetings with Carers UK and participate in a number of forums.  The Committee queried how Care Homes would cope when the mandate to self-isolate was reversed in March.  Responding to the Committees query, Mr Gareth Wall advised the Committee that Care Homes had done an impeccable job in responding to the previous mandates and the council would continue to support Care Homes with changes, he advised that he had confidence in the Care Homes abilities to adapt.

4.12     The Committee queried the status of the position for the Carlton Dean building which was in a poor state and an update on the Beachcroft contract.  The Cabinet Members advised the Committee the council decanted the two existing care comes including Carlton Dean and the building has been emptied since.  He confirmed that there would be a planning application in the next year to develop the site.  In the meantime, the building will not be used.  On Beachcroft the Cabinet Member informed the Committee that there would be a Cabinet Member report available in the next few months on the options.

4.13     The Committee raised further questions regarding the derelict state and the Planning permission for the Carlton Dean building. The Cabinet Member confirmed that there was planning permission in place but needed to work with potential providers to draw up the details for a mixed community of residents who required support.  He advised that the item would come back to the Committee in the near future to discuss the plan.  The Committee also discussed the Promoting Independence Budget and the predicted 1.7million savings in adult social care. the Cabinet Member advised the Committee that the Budget task group was the forum where the council dealt with queries regarding budgets and savings.

4.14     The Committee sought further information on the white paper update, in particular the fund available to integrate housing into local health and care strategies with a focus of increasing new supported housing options.  The Committee also discussed if the extra money could be used to ease pressures of overcrowding and disrepair.  Mr Gareth Wall advised the Committee that the white paper and supporting policy was not specific regarding the funding for housing and Social Care, however it was clear that it was under the umbrella of Adult social care and not general housing.

4.15     The Cabinet Member advised that ASC was responsible for Care Homes, whilst Housing Services was responsible for supported housing and general needs housing.  He advised that he would be sitting down with the Cabinet Member for Housing to discuss housing provision to ensure that all pathways were clear and supported by the council.  Mr Gareth Wall advised the Committee that ASC would work with Housing colleagues towards and a holistic approach, however the money was tied to adult social care needs.

4.16     The Committee discussed the compulsory vaccination for medical staff across Westminster and staff moving to countries where there was not a compulsory vaccination.  The Committee queried the impact across Westminster and if the council held any data on number of Health Care professionals who were vaccination or unvaccinated.  The Cabinet Member advised that he did not hold any information on the matter.  He confirmed he attended regular meetings with Chief executive of St Mary’s and this issue had not been flagged as a concern.

4.17     The Chairman requested that the number of Health Care professionals who were vaccination or unvaccinated data be provided by Health Care Partners.

4.18     RESOLVED: that the Committee note the update report.

The Committee Requested:

•           A map be provided of the locations where Westminster residents are being sent for outpatient care.

•           Data on the number of Health Care professionals who were vaccination or unvaccinated