Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Ball, Leach, Taylor and Toor. Councillor Phythian attended as a substitute for Councillor Ball.

There were no declarations of interest received.

There were no items of urgent business received.

The following public question had been submitted by Mr. James Allen on 9^th September 2018:

“Diabetes times put NHS England purposes diabetes changes (this was put on NHS England news) of which I received on the 06/07/18.

I would like this board take a look at this and ask the CCG’s views on this item and bring these findings to the next Health Scrutiny.

I would like to ask:

1)    What does this mean and what affect will there be for those who have diabetes 1 and 2 in Oldham

2)    After this as been done, will this board be taking this forward t GM Healt Scrutiny, to see what impact on this item as and how will it affect Oldham

3)    When this as been done, I would like to see this as a future item for the Health and Wellbeing board.

4)    I ask the chairs of health scrutiny takes this on board fully at local and GM level

I hope we can get a good response from all levels from those who are diabetic in Oldham

Yours Faithfully

James Allen

Cc Healthwatch Oldham

Cllr. Jenny Harrison”

The following response was provided by Nadia Baig, Acting Director of Performance and Delivery, Oldham Cares, Health and Social Care for Oldham: 

“Dear Mr Allen,

Thank you for your enquiry

The article quoted relates to proposals for changes to Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) payments to General Practitioners.

NHS England are commencing a review of these payments in the areas outlined. The approach being used is an evidence led process to ensure the best balance is found on value for money and patient outcomes across a broad range of areas, including diabetes. 

QOF forms part of the General Medical Services (GMS) contract and changes are subject to negotiations. NHS England will work collaboratively to support this process,

The outcomes of this review are not yet finalised.

Oldham Cares will follow the outcome of their consultation and support our residents and care providers to implement whatever changes are made in a way which is right for the people of Oldham.

Kind regards

Nadia”

The Minutes of the Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee meeting held on 3^rd July 2018 are attached for approval.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee held on 3^rd July 2018 be approved as a correct record.

The minutes of the Health and Wellbeing Board meeting held on 27^th March 2018 are attached for noting

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Health and Wellbeing Board meeting held on 27th March 2018 be noted.

The minutes of the Greater Manchester Health Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 14^th March 2018 are attached for noting

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Greater Manchester Joint Health Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 14^th March 2018 be noted.

With regard to the Urgent Care Strategy, the Chair of the Sub-Committee agreed with the Acting Director of Performance and Delivery Oldham Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to organise a workshop in late September, early October to share information and experience around urgent care services in Oldham. The Chair would ask the CCG officer to deliver a joint workshop to include obesity.

RESOLVED that:

1.     The resolution and action log be noted.

2.    A joint workshop on obesity and the Urgent Care Strategy be arranged in late September, early October, via the Acting Director of Performance and Delivery Oldham Clinical Commissioning Group

RESOLVED that the meeting overview be noted.

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Environmental Services which sought to update the Sub-Committee on the latest developments on air quality in Oldham and across Greater Manchester. The Sub-Committee had previously reviewed this matter in January and July 2018. 

The Head of Public Protection attended the meeting to present the report and to address the enquiries of the Sub-Committee.

It was explained that Oldham Council had been requested by the Government to undertake a feasibility studyto develop a list of measures to reduce nitrogen dioxide exceedance on a stretch of Oldham’s bypass, the A62, in the shortest possible time. The feasibility study had been completed and submitted to the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) at the end of July 2018. The final version of the study would be published on 5^th October 2018 and it would include the work completed by other local authorities in the North West.

The shortlist of measures identified as part of the Oldham’s feasibility study were outlined. However, they had been discounted on the basis of lack of deliverability. None of the measures outlined were able to achieve compliance with the required reduction in nitrogen dioxide by 2021 on the stretch of road in question. Although the measures would not be taken forward as part of the feasibility study, some of them would still be implemented locally. Other measures would be progressed by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM).

It was stressed that a national initiative was necessary in order to change people’s behaviour and to improve air quality. Locally driven plans would naturally be very limited in their impact due to the scale of changes needed.

Some questions that had been raised previously by Members of the Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee were answered:

-       It was confirmed that areas within a 50 metres radius form the road side were exposed to traffic related emissions; 

-       Trees and foliage had the capacity to absorb fine particulate air pollution which had an adverse effect on health. However, position and species of trees were very important in order to reduce particulate matter.

-        Air pollution reduced with height.

With regard to the approach to air quality across Greater Manchester, Members were informed that the regional feasibility study was being led by TfGM and it incorporated the Greater Manchester Air Quality Action Plan. The regional feasibility study had to be submitted by December 2018. A consultation process was currently taking place across Greater Manchester on the measures outlined in the draft regional feasibility study.  A communication plan was in place to highlight the link between health and air quality and to emphasise the need for change in people’s behaviour (i.e.: active travelling, cycling, use of public transport, etc.). Another proposal would be standardising taxi licenses across Greater Manchester in order to control vehicle age and gas emissions.

Members sought and received clarification / commented on the following points:

-       Proposed measures to address air quality and their sustainability in the current financial  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

Consideration was given to a report of the Public Health and Wellbeing Manager which sought to update the Sub-Committee on the Council’s position on tobacco control. The report also outlined the proposed changes to the Council’s current smoking policy. This update followed a report that had been presented to the Sub-Committee in September 2017.

The author of the report attended the meeting to present the information and to address the enquiries of the Members.

It was reported that data released by Public Health England had indicated that from 2016 to 2017 Oldham’s smoking prevalence rate had reduced. However, the accuracy of data could not be guaranteed as the population sample was very limited and the sample size for Oldham was not known.  

Smoking prevalence in adults in routine and manual occupations had risen. Smoking at time of delivery rate had also increased. However, a Greater Manchester Smoking in Pregnancy Programme had recently been implemented. The programme worked to reduce the risks associated with smoking during pregnancy via specific interventions in groups of vulnerable women.

It was also reported that less people nationally accessed stop smoking services. Although the quality of service was good, the number of people who accessed it had reduced. Oldham Council commissioned Positive Steps to deliver a Stop Smoking Service. Although the service was part of a universal offer, it also targeted specific groups considered at high risk of inequalities.

With regard to the Council’s smoking policy, the consultation on the proposal for a new smoke free policy had started. The trade unions had been consulted with the proposed changes. It had been resolved that e-cigarettes were to be treated the same as tobacco and not allowed on Council’s properties. Site visits and further discussions had taken place with services which had a significant number of routine and manual occupations. However, it had been requested that a comprehensive communication plan be put in place leading up to the implementation date.

Members sought and received clarification / commented on the following points:

-       Were resources sufficient to implement the new Council’s smoking policy? – It was explained that Public Health needed an additional £5,000 to put in place a comprehensive communication plan to implement the new policy. Posters and leaflets needed to be displayed leading up to 1^st December 2018 which would be the start date of the new policy. 

-       E-cigarettes as aid to stop smoking and new Council’s policy – It was explained that there was no certainty that e-cigarettes did not harm health. The trade unions had asked that e-cigarettes be treated like tobacco and ban their use on Council’s properties. However, the final decision would be taken by senior management.

-       A progress report on tobacco control be presented to this Committee in September 2019.

RESOLVED that:

1.    The current tobacco control position in Oldham be noted;

2.    The update and current position concerning the review of the Council’s smoking policy be noted;

3.    The Chair of the Sub-Committee meet with the relevant  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

Council had approved a motion in July 2018 in support of the recent changes in mental health services for young people in the Borough and the introduction of a toolkit “Supporting young minds through tough times - the whole school approach to emotional health and wellbeing in Oldham”.

The motion requested that the Lead Cabinet Member report to Full Council on progress made on the issue in the next 12 months.

RESOLVED that the Chair of the Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee meet with the Public Health Specialist to establish ownership of this issue at Cabinet portfolio level.

Consideration was given to the Health Scrutiny forward plan for 2018/19. The Chair of the Sub-Committee informed the other members that, following a meeting with the Consultant in Public Health, the items below would be added to the forward plan:

-       Oral health in both children and older people;

-       Adult mental health: including Mental Health Prevention Concordat, Connect 5 – both the training and train the trainers programme and 5 ways to wellbeing;

-       Public health in primary care: including working with GP clusters on transformation pilots, NHS Health Checks;

-       Social isolation and thriving communities.

The Chair also informed that, as part of his Healthy Living Campaign, the Mayor intended to set up a walking group in each of the 20 wards in Oldham. This could be linked to the Daily Mile programme that had been adopted in many schools in Oldham. 

RESOLVED that:

1.    The addendum to the forward plan be noted.

2.    The Chair ask the Mayor how the Health Scrutiny could support the walking programme as part of the Mayor’s Health Living Campaign.

The next meeting of the Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee will take place on Tuesday 23^rd October 2018 at 6 p.m.

It was noted that the next meeting of the Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee would take place on Tuesday 23^rd October 2018 at 6 p.m.