No disclosures of interest in matters under consideration were received. 

Resolved –

That the minutes of the meeting held on 14 December 2017 be signed as a correct record.

There were no appeals submitted by the public to review decisions to restrict documents. 

There were no questions submitted by the public.

The Head of Engagement and Experience, Airedale Wharfedale and Craven Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) presented a report, (Document “S”) which provided a six monthly update on the CCG and, in particular, on the progress of the re-design of services and patient involvement. 

The report provided an illustration of a range of health care activities undertaken in the Keighley district. 

Members questioned the lack of reference to the work of pharmacists in the area and were advised that the CCG did operate a ‘pharmacy first’ policy.  Any patient contacting their GP would be asked if they had contacted a pharmacist and advised of the range of services they could provide.

The amount of time and resources wasted through missed GP and hospital appointments was queried and it was explained that any patient missing more than two appointments would be contacted.

A Member referred to the Youth Service’s ‘buddy scheme’ and was advised that each GP practice employed a person to support a buddy system.

The report described a national shortage of staff which was making recruitment challenging.  Members questioned what measures were undertaken in the district to address that issue.  In response it was explained that a strategy was being developed to consider measures to recruit and retain staff.  The strategy included training packages to develop Physicians Associates who could treat more common ailments such as coughs and colds and would free up GPs to concentrate on less routine issues.  Care Assistants were also provided with opportunities to progress.

The Portfolio Holder, Health and Wellbeing, explained that the Health and Wellbeing Board had identified the issue of staff recruitment and retention as a top priority and expressed her disappointment that the University of Bradford’s bid to open a new medical school had been rejected.  A Member also raised concern about the British Medical Association’s cap on the number of doctor training opportunities.

Members were assured that, due to the provision of an excellent pharmacology course at Bradford University, there was a good number of pharmacists working in Bradford and Airedale.   A Member also referred to increasing participants on nursing courses during the current year.

Resolved –

That the report be noted.

No action

(Health and Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee)

The report of the Strategic Director, Health and Wellbeing, (Document “T”) informed Members of the work of Public Health and in particular how the work contributed to the health and wellbeing of the population of the Keighley area.

The report revealed the main health issues identified by the statistical evidence as infant mortality; mortality due to cancer and /or cardiovascular disease for under 75 year old olds and excess weight/obesity amongst children aged 4-5 and 10-11years old.  The interventions to mitigate and tackle the issues based on a multi-agency working practice were discussed.

A Member questioned the interventions available to help residents to address childhood obesity.  In response it was explained that if the issue had been identified through checks undertaken by the school nurse this should be followed up with a contact letter from the nurse.  It was agreed to provide further contact details after the meeting.

It was questioned if there had been any research conducted on the effect of social housing versus private sector housing on people’s health.  In response it was explained that it would be interesting to investigate that issue but that level of detail was more likely to be explored by the Born in Bradford research project. 

Resolved –

1)    That the report be welcomed.

2)    That the views and comments of Members, expressed at the meeting, be noted.

Action: Strategic Director, Health and Wellbeing

(Heath and Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee)

The report of the Strategic Director, Children’s Services, (Document “U”) provided a summary of the volume of work undertaken in Keighley related to children, young people and families.  The report addressed education attainment and attendance, poverty levels, information about looked after children and other key issues.

The report revealed that Prevention and Early Help services in the district were the subject of a wide ranging review and public consultation. A Targeted Early Help Manager for Keighley addressed the meeting and presented an overview of work in the area.  It was questioned how success in early help was assessed and it was explained that the service was measured by payment by results and returns examined for outcomes provided that check.  Re-referral rates were also measured together with referrals to social care to ensure the service was addressing the appropriate issues.  In response to discussions about the length of time interventions would be provided Members were assured that a case would not be closed if a family still required assistance.

Members requested that detailed information on the outcomes of early help be provided in future reports. 

Resolved –

That the report be noted.

Action: Strategic Director, Children’s Services

(Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee/ Health and Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee)

The Strategic Director, Children’s Services, presented a report, (Document “V”) which provided an update to the report presented to the Committee in 2017 regarding child sexual exploitation (CSE).  The report set out the arrangements that had been put in place, and which continued to develop, to safeguard children from CSE.

The report revealed that the referrals to March 2017 remained high but it was believed that this was because people were more aware of the referral process.

Members questioned if measures to address CSE included links with Anti Social Behaviour (ASB) and were advised that the youth service provision targeted ASB and the risks of being groomed.

It was noted that there were a number of initiatives aimed at young girls in the district and it was queried if there was sufficient provision for boys at risk or who had suffered CSE in the area.  In response it was acknowledged that there were fewer referrals of CSE regarding boys and it had been questioned if that was because there were fewer incidents occurring or less reporting.  It was explained that the issue was being considered across the constituency.

A Member referred to a police recruitment drive and questioned the police structure in Keighley.  A representative from West Yorkshire Police addressed the meeting and explained that a new model of policing and investment in neighbourhood policing was now embedded in the area.  Information sharing was undertaken at all levels and was not exclusive to the teams based in the hub based at Sir Henry Mitchell House.

The proportion of time allocated to investigating historic and current CSE issues was questioned.  It was explained that historic cases were complex and could take longer to progress.  The teams investigating current CSE issues comprised of a Detective Inspector, eight detectives, three investigative officer, three harm reduction officers, problem solvers and a Looked After Children Officer and co-ordinators. 

The Keighley Area Co-ordinator reported a recent and successful conference which had been organised by the voluntary sector and a Keighley MP.  The conference had involved a number of voluntary agencies talking about what could be delivered in schools and aiming to provide a more consistent curriculum across Keighley schools.

Members were assured that all police officers were trained in CSE awareness and prioritised safeguarding.  It was agreed that a progress report on the effectiveness of the new police structure in the area would be provided in six months time.

Resolved –

1)    That the contents of Document “V” be noted.

2)    That the Strategic Director, Children’s Services, be requested to provide a progress report on arrangements by the Council and its partners to tackle Child Sexual Exploitation in 6 months time.

Action: Strategic Director, Children’s Services.

(Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee)