Agenda and minutes

The Panel is asked to elect a Chair for the 2025/26 Municipal Year.

Item deferred to next meeting due to lack of quorum.

The Panel is asked to elect a Vice Chair for the 2025/26 municipal year.

Item deferred to next meeting due to lack of quorum.

Apologies were received from Councillor Anstee (Rochdale) and Councillor Fitzgerald (Bury).

Urgent business, if any, to be introduced by the Chair.

Due to a lack of quorum, the meeting did not proceed formally. However, it was decided amongst the members present that the meeting would continue informally as no decisions were due to be made.

Councillor McLaren was agreed as chair for the duration of the session.

No other items of urgent business were received.

To receive Declarations of Interest in any Contract or matter to be discussed at the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive questions from the Public, in accordance with the Terms of Reference.

There were no public questions received.

To consider the minutes of the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee for Northern Care Alliance held on 24^th April 2025.

This item was deferred due to the lack of quorum.

Report detailing the performance metrics of the NCA for April 2025.

Jude Adams presented the item, noting the metrics and progress made. Areas highlighted in the report included cancer services, staff and urgent care. It was noted that wait times continued to fall, and that outpatient services showed sustained improvement.

Members noted the progress made, particularly on waiting times. Questions were asked on the elective A&P process, cancellations, bed capacity, benchmarking and treatment pressures. Members were advised that national and local problem solving practice was being looked at, particularly good practice and ways to reduce variation. It was highlighted that the two main reasons for cancellations were patients not being clinically fit for surgeries and patients not showing up, and the idea of a stand by list was suggested. It was noted that a significant issue with bed capacity was physical capacity issues, particularly regarding RAAC and a lack of space.

Report outlining the findings of the 2024 NCA Staffing Survey.

Gertie NicPhilib presented the report on the Staff Survey. Highlights of the report included an increased response rate of 55%, improved flexible working and Next Steps. It was also noted that it was positive that there had been no material decline in figures.

Members asked questions on the Speaking Up guardians, protected characteristics and the design of the questionaire. Members were advised that the ‘Freedom to Speak Up’ guarantee was in place and that Speaking Up guardians were independent non-executive staff members who could raise issues if things don’t feel right. It was noted that the design of the questionaire is nationally set, and that employees are free to fill in their own details, particularly around protected characteristics, as they see fit and update them accordingly.

Report updating on the finances of the Northern Care Alliance.

Mina Patel provided an update on finance. It was noted that the NCA position is a deficit of £4.4m and that the Trust is working on its 2025/26 financial plan. Issues that were highlighted included a reduction in the use of bank and agency staff.

Members noted the report and asked questions on payments, financial governance, the deficit and how to balance budget and delivery. Members were advised that payments to agency were as a last resort, and that financial governance, especially around fraud, was audited and part of a positive process. It was noted that plans were in place to reduce the deficit by looking at how to use resources better and more productively. It was also noted that accounting for leases had changed. It was highlighted that balancing budget against service delivery was challenging, but that tracking against complaints were in place to ensure that service delivery continued.

To consider items for inclusion when developing the Scrutiny Committee’s workplan for the  2025/26 municipal year.

Items were considered for future meetings. Items suggested for the work programme included:

Community outreach

Growing your own – Apprenticeships and widening access

Patient and staff stories.

Patient surveys.