Agenda item

To receive a report from the Chair of the Health and Wellbeing OSC.

Councillor Dodd, Chair of the Health and Wellbeing OSC provided an introduction to the report and started by thanking Councillor Veronica Jones for her work as Chair for the past two and a half years.  The Committee played a  vital role in public health and adult social care and covered a great deal of topics.  The first two topics outlined in the report had similar traits in relation to the recruitment and retention the workforce, with shortages impacting on the number of people waiting to access services.  Initiatives had been commenced to alleviate these shortages and make the conditions better by increasing rates of pay for carers and mileage to make the positions more attractive.  There had been some consideration of bringing the service in-house, but this did have financial risks.  Concern was expressed regarding the closure of the 100 hour pharmacies in Cramlington and it was feared that this would not be a one-off situation and a number of pharmacies providing this would follow if the problem was not addressed.  He Highlighted that a Task and Finish Working Group (T&FWG) had been set up to look at the issue which was Chaired by Councillor Nisbet.

In respect of the HM Senior Coroner’s Annual Report, Members were asked to take an interest in the various areas of review coming forward advised that the   North East Ambulance Service was to attend a meeting shortly.  A further T&FWG had been set up to look at the provision of defibrillators, identifying where they are and who has responsibility for replacing the batteries/pads, how they can be accessed and how were people trained to use them.

Councillor Dickinson agreed that it was right to set up the T&FWG to look at the closure of pharmacies, but advised that another major problem within his own area and others was the closure of dental practices which impacted on access to services for children and Northumberland residents.  He had been invited to the Committee when this was discussed to provide a local view and had been assured that access would not be affected, however they had now lost two practices and he had been advised that there was a waiting list of 800 to join another practice.  This was replicated across Northumberland and whilst it was a national funding problem, there needed to be local monitoring and a spokesperson to give our voice. 

Councillor Dodd agreed that this would be added as an agenda item for a future meeting.

Councillor Cartie advised that there were concerns regarding the closure of pharmacies in Newsham and Blyth.  There had been a lot of new houses built within the area along with an aging population and the situation needed to be addressed either by making sure these were kept open or providing the pharmacy within another shop to ensure that the service was maintained.   She welcomed that something was being done, and asked to be kept involved.

Councillor Dodd advised that part of the problem had been supermarkets wishing to provide everything and then backing out when it was no longer a profit making exercise, along with the availability of internet deliveries.  He assured Council that the issue was being looked at and would keep Members updated.

Councillor Swinburn thanked Councillor Nisbet for the invitation to the T&FWG as the pharmacy was in his Ward and highlighted that the issue was not just with the removal of the extended hours, but also with stock availability with patients not able to access items.  He advised that the pharmacy had also left the site prior to the end of the notice period which had put a strain on the pharmacy that remained with large queues.  He did, however question how much control the Council would have but wished to be kept advised so that he could respond to questions from residents within his Ward.

Councillor Dodds confirmed that this issue would affect everyone and that these extended hours pharmacies were needed.  The OSC would work with the Health and Wellbeing Board on what could be done.

Councillor Morphet thanked Councillor Dodd and that the Green Party welcomed the comments regarding care workers but highlighted that it was not just about improving salaries and conditions, it was also about making them feel valued and to be proud of their work in order to solve the crisis.

Councillor Dodd noted the comments.

Councillor Grimshaw stated that the probable closure of pharmacies was of concern which must be addressed, and deliveries to vulnerable residents must also be part of this. 

Councillor Dodd noted the comment.

Councillor Bridgett commented that he was pleased that the issue of defibrillators was being looked at as this was an important issue.  He questioned if Members were aware of how they should be used as he had not been.  There was no map of the locations of the equipment with some needing a 999 code to access.  It was important that all Councillors were aware of where the equipment was, how to access it and how to use it.

Councillor Mather advised that he was a community first responder and there was a programme which was used called “The Circuit” which listed the location of defibrillators.   He paid tribute to all the community and voluntary organisations and parish councils that had raised funds to have these provided.  Training was very important and everyone should know how to use them, however there were protocols in place for their use to stop people going straight for these in an emergency.  There were other more important things which needed to be done prior to using a defibrillator and the Council should be working with the ambulance service to promote this key message.  He would be happy to work with the Committee on this.

Councillor Dodd commented that this was a topic which was important to people and he thought there should be some sort of visible sign to alert people to where defibrillators were located and asked Members to email himself, Councillor Nisbet or Chris Angus for any suggestions on how this could be done.  He would be interested to know the number of defibrillators within the County and highlighted that maintenance of the machines was important with the life of the battery only five years from the build of the machine and not from when it was actually installed at a venue.