PRESENT: Councillor Barker in the chair.
Councillors Appleyard, Barkworth, Eckhardt, England, Ishaq and Simpson.
Councillors N Sherwood, C Sherwood, Swift, Smith, Poole, Wilson, Redfern and Waltham attended the meeting in accordance with Procedure Rule 37(b)
The panel met at Pittwood House, Scunthorpe.
52 DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL OR PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS AND DECLARATIONS OF WHIPPING ARRANGEMENTS – There were no declarations of personal or personal and prejudicial interests.
No whip was declared.
53 PUBLIC REQUESTS TO SPEAK – Ambulance Cover in Brigg (Mike Campion, Brigg Town Council and Mr Basil Brader, Resident) - The Chair informed members that Mike Campion had accepted the invitation in accordance with the recommendation made in minute 46 of the panel, and an additional request to speak had been received from Mr Brader, who wished also to voice his concerns over the proposed changes to the ambulance service provision within Brigg.
Mr Campion was invited to address the panel and also the representatives who were in attendance from East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EMAS). He explained that concerns had been raised, specifically that there had been no consultation with residents over the proposed changes to the ambulance service provision. He asked for clarification of the changes to the service, where the ambulance from Brigg would be based in future, where the two replacement fast response vehicles would be based, what area the fast response vehicles would be covering and what the estimated response times would be if it was deemed necessary to call an ambulance to some of the more rural areas surrounding Brigg.
Mr Campion asked for confirmation as to why it was necessary to make the changes and also why a representative from EMAS had not accepted the invitation to attend a meeting of Brigg Town Council two weeks ago.
Mr Brader was invited to address the panel and representatives from EMAS. He voiced similar concerns to those of Mr Campion, specifically the lack of public consultation, the lack of definitive proposals and the delay in ambulance response times that would result from the proposed changes.
The representatives from EMAS were asked for comments on the four categories that had been identified as needing the service of an ambulance, and why spinal injuries, amputations and strokes had not been included.
Mr Brader concluded his address to the panel by stating that accident and emergency was not easy to predict from a telephone conversation and that there were serious concerns, especially from residents within the rural areas, that lives would be compromised by the proposed changes. He asked whether EMAS would commit to review the changes after one year and if it was deemed to be failing, consider a further revision of the ambulance service for Brigg.
Resolved – That both Mr Campion and Mr Brader be thanked for their attendance at the meeting.
54 AMBULANCE COVER IN BRIGG – Discussions with Pete Jones and Rob Walker from East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust. – The panel was introduced to delegates from East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS), who had accepted the invitation to attend the meeting as outlined in minute 46 of the panel. In attendance were Pete Jones General Manager EMAS, Rob Walker Community Relations EMAS, Lynn Rutland Service Development Manager EMAS and Greg Cox Operational Support Manager EMAS.
Members received a presentation which outlined the structure of the East Midlands Ambulance Service, staffing and background information on the area and population served.
Pete Jones, General Manager EMAS, took the opportunity to address the issues that had been raised by the two members of public (minute 53 refers). He confirmed that a consultation process had been undertaken between the ambulance service and North Lincolnshire Primary Care Trust (NLPCT) and it had not been deemed necessary for a public consultation. He explained that NLPCT had been confident that the proposed changes to the ambulance service provision for Brigg would not compromise the level of service or lives within the community.
Apologies were given for not attending the Brigg Town Parish Council meeting. Pete Jones explained that insufficient notice had been given for any representative from EMAS to attend. It was noted that this was not acceptable to members of the scrutiny panel or Brigg Town Parish Council.
The panel was advised that ambulance staff had been involved in the decision process. Changes to current working patterns were necessary to meet the patient care requirements and this had not been popular with some members of staff. Pete explained that this had resulted in some disillusioned staff members who may have expressed concerns to members of Brigg Town Council.
Pete Jones confirmed that substantial cuts had been made by NLPCT to the budget, which had made it necessary for changes to be made. He explained that consideration had to be given to recent data that had been collated, suggesting that one third of calls for ambulance service did not necessitate the patient being taken to hospital. He added that it was a tall order to cover 3,500 square miles with the resources/vehicles that were available and to keep an ambulance based in Brigg was not efficient or economical use of the vehicle. Decisions had been made after assessing the activity in the area and how EMAS had had to respond to calls.
Finally, Pete Jones addressed Mr Brader’s concerns over ambulances only being despatched for four categories. He explained that information would be relayed to a fast response vehicle as it was on route. If deemed necessary, the first responder would be able to request an ambulance to attend, however it was stressed that the first responder would attend the scene first, and his role was to save lives.
Pete explained that the decisions had not been taken lightly. Changes in Government policy, specifically the Bradley and Darzi reports, had determined the future of ambulance service provision, and confirmed that EMAS would be happy to commit to a review of the changes after 12 months.
The panel engaged in further discussion with the delegates from EMAS, expressing concerns over the erosion of emergency services within the region, the impact on response times and whether these would be recorded on performance indicators, how much the budget had been cut this year by NLPCT, they asked for confirmation as to where the ambulance from Brigg would be stationed and when the changes would be effective from.
Resolved – (a) That the Ambulance Service be requested to provide the panel with details of performance indicators for the county, (b) that details and figures of the budget cuts be provided to the chair, (c) that Brigg Town Council be notified of the date that the service changes will be introduced and, (d) that Pete Jones, Rob Walker, Lynn Rutland and Greg Cox from EMAS be thanked for their attendance at the meeting and for addressing public concerns.
55 DISCUSSIONS WITH IAN REEKIE ON THE FORMER NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE PCT PPIF’S REPORT ‘THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PCT IN ENGAGING WITH THE RESIDENTS OF NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE’ – The chair introduced Ian Reekie to members of the panel, who was then invited to provide an oral overview of the report and how this had been deemed positive, even though critical.
Ian explained that there was a commitment to improve community engagement, and it was acknowledged that changes were needed to improve. He explained that the PCT could learn from websites such as Media relations and also the Acute Trust’s websites.
It was confirmed that even though PPI had been disbanded, the PCT would welcome future engagement with the council, specifically the Healthier Communities and Older People Scrutiny Panel. It was asked that the panel take ownership of the recommendations that had been made and ensure that they were put in place.
Ian Reekie explained that growth funding would be available to North Lincolnshire in the next financial year. He welcomed suggestions from the scrutiny panel for the use of this funding to ensure that it was put to the best use possible.
Resolved – (a) That the panel take ownership of the recommendations made within the PPIF report, (b) that LINKs be pushed to the forefront of community engagement and monitored by the panel and, (c) that Ian Reekie be thanked for his attendance and input at the meeting .
56 ADDED ITEM – WARMFRONT – Simon Church Regional Warmfront Advisor, had been invited to attend the meeting in accordance with minute 51 of the panel. He provided an oral presentation on the service that Warmfront provided, the eligibility for the grant, how assessments were undertaken and also advised members that this included a benefits entitlement check.
The panel was advised that £2700 was the maximum grant amount available and this could be used to purchase items such as cavity wall insulation, loft insulation, a heating system and draft excluders. Referrals had increased, and Simon confirmed that 1060 referrals had been received last year, resulting in £1.4m grant money being spent in North Lincolnshire.
Members engaged in further discussion with the Warmfront representative and also North Lincolnshire Council Energy Efficiency Officer, who was also in attendance.
The council’s energy efficiency officer, confirmed that contact details would be provided to any panel member if they required any further information.
Resolved – (a) That the position be noted and, (b) that Simon Church be thanked for his attendance at the meeting.
57 ANNUAL HEALTHCARE COMMISSION DECLARATIONS (2007-2008) – consideration of a response to the Healthcare Commission on East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust and verbal update
Resolved – (a) That the panel was not happy with the consultation process for the changes to the ambulance service in Brigg, (b) that a response on the annual health check be sent to the Healthcare Commission stating the concerns of the panel, with chair/vice chair approval, and (c) that figures be obtained from the PCT to show the current levels of Breast Screening within North Lincolnshire and these be discussed at a future meeting, with the attendance of Cllr Redfern and Cllr Stewart MBE.
58 LOCAL INVOLVEMENT NETWORKS (LINKs) – Dean Gillon Scrutiny Officer, Democratic Services was invited to provide a verbal update to the panel. He confirmed that Voluntary Action North Lincolnshire (VANL) had been awarded the contract for LINKs. Members were encouraged to continue to attend the meetings until they were up and running.
It was suggested that the Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) community be kept informed of developments.
Resolved – That VANL be advised to ensure that the BME community be kept informed of developments.
59 (5) LEADER OF THE COUNCIL’S FORWARD PLAN – The Service Director Legal and Democratic circulated the Leader of North Lincolnshire Council's Forward Plan for April to July 2008.
The plan contained details of all matters and issues likely to be the subject of key decisions for a period of the next four months, updated on a monthly basis.
Resolved – That the position be noted.