Agenda and draft minutes

To appoint a  Vice Chair of the Adults Social Care and Health Scrutiny Board for the 2024/25 Municipal Year.

RESOLVED - That Councillor Hamblett be appointed as Vice-Chair of the Adults Social Care and Health Scrutiny Board for the 2024/25 Municipal Year.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Hurley, Rebecca Fletcher, Alistair Craig and Mike Barker.

There were no public questions.

The Minutes of the Adults Social Care and Health Scrutiny Board held on 7th March 2024 are attached for approval.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 7^th March 2024 be approved as a correct record.

To receive an update on services and related matters in respect of the Northern Care Alliance and the Royal Oldham Hospital.

Report to follow.

This item was deferred to the next meeting.

Presentation updating Members on the current situation regarding CQC assessments for authorities and Oldham’s preparedness.

David Garner, Head of Business Strategy and Performance Adult Social Care, gave a presentation on the Authority’s preparation for an Assessment by the Care Quality Commission which would take place within the next 18 months. (The presentation slides were included within the Scrutiny Committee’s Agenda pack)

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is tasked with assessing local health and care systems under the Health and Care Act 2022. These assessments aim to understand how care is improving outcomes and reducing inequalities. The focus is on local authorities' compliance with the Care Act 2014. The assessment period will start with the local authority's receipt of an information request and ends with the final report's publication. It mainly considers evidence from the 12 months preceding the assessment. CQC’s Single Assessment Framework, includes nine quality statements across four themes: Working with people; Providing support; Ensuring safety and Leadership.

The presentation described the full assessment process and the steps that the authority is taking to prepare for it. Preparation included carrying out a self assessment process from which an improvement plan had been developed to identify areas that require further development. An assurance preparation awareness day and follow up had also taken place as well as a number of staff engagement events aimed at providing staff with information on the assessment process. A mock information return exercise was also undertaken to test the departments readiness to complete the CQC Information Return that starts the assessment process. A Task and Finish Group had been established to focus on key preparation activities.

In response to a question from a Member regarding working with other authorities the Director responded that the service had close contacts with other Greater Manchester authorities and was sharing information and was working on co-production of strategies.

In response to a question from a Member concerning the selection of the people who would be put forward for the CQC to talk to, the Director responded that they would be selected in an open and transparent way to provide an accurate picture of the service.

In response to questions about what CQC score level the service was currently working to, the Director informed the Scrutiny Committee that the Service was working towards a score of ‘Good’ at a minimum. In terms of current performance some aspects of the service, such as safeguarding were  outstanding, while others such as equality and diversity, waiting times and transitions needed further improvement. The Action Plan focused on areas which needed improvement.

In response to a questions regarding resources and workforce capacity, the Director praised staff who had embraced the assessment process. The CQC, however, would not take into account the financial situation facing the authority or the very weak provider market.

RESOLVED:

1. That the report be noted.

2. Staff be thanked for their work in preparing for the CQC inspection.

3. A progress report be made in six moths time..

The Adult Social Care and Health  Scrutiny Board Work programme 2024/25 was circulated for members consideration.

RESOLVED – That the work programme be noted

The Council’s current published Key Decision Document, advising of key decisions due to be taken by the Council’s Cabinet was circulated for Member’s consideration.

 RESOLVED - That the Key Decision Document be noted.

To consider any rule 13 or 14 decisions taken since the previous meeting.

There was nothing to report under Rule 13 and 14.