Agenda and minutes

There were none.

DECIDED:

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 27 July 2022 be APPROVED as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Councillor Malyon raised an urgent item of business in regards to the possibility of beds reopening at Leek Moorlands Hospital. The Chair agreed to raise this matter at the next meeting of the Staffordshire County Council’s Health & Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

·         Disclosable Pecuniary Interests

·         Other Interests

DECIDED:

The Panel NOTED the minutes of the last meeting of the SCC Health & Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The Chair explained that although Mark Docherty had attended this meeting, in line with the Joint Code of Working, Staffordshire County Council’s Health and Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee was responsible for the scrutiny of the West Midlands Ambulance Service.

The County Council had looked and continued to monitor whole system pressures including the ambulance service.

Ambulance delays and system pressures were experienced across the whole region and scrutiny of the WMAS was being raised at a regional forum.

Members were requested to notify the Chair of any specific issues relating to the Moorlands and as the District Council’s representative on the SCC Health & Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee, she would raise these concerns at the appropriate meeting of the Committee.

The Panel considered a presentation from the WMAS which included performance by postcode, ambulance productivity, and handover delays lost hours for categories 1-3. A letter for the attention of the Accountable Officer, NHS Sandwell and West Birmingham CCG, in regards to patient safety concerns was also shared with the Panel as part of the presentation.

The overall position was concerning to members as the average wait times for ambulances far exceeded the targets set with the main issue being around hospital hand over delays. Paramedics were becoming inexperienced due to waiting outside hospitals and providing nursing care. The work-life balance of some paramedics had deteriorated as crews were unable to finish shifts at the correct time.

In response to a query around reverting back to the working practices of the Staffordshire Ambulance Service, it was explained that survival rates were much higher now, patients had more complex conditions and overall, the demand for service had significantly increased. Individual ambulance services would not have sufficient vehicles to cope with the demand for ambulances.

Discussion took place in relation to the planned strike action, the need for an improved social care system and the reasons for the hand over delays at Royal Stoke Hospital.

It was reported that in some areas of the Moorlands there was an excellent Community First Response Service yet in other areas the scheme had ended as volunteers felt undervalued. There were plans to develop this scheme and further discussions were planned for the new year in regards to the Fire Service and defibrillators.

Some members were of the opinion that the re-opening of beds at local hospitals and improved GP services would alleviate some of the issues.

It was suggested that a triage vehicle in the area staffed by an advanced paramedic and student would also take some of the pressure off the service.

The Chair and members of the Panel thanked the Officer for attending the meeting and providing the presentation.

DECIDED:

1)    That the presentation be received;

2)    For the performance data relating to postcode SK17 be provided to Councillor Riley after the meeting.

(At least two clear days notice required, in writing, to the Proper Officer in accordance with Procedure Rule 15).

No questions had been received.

Any additional items to be added to the Work Programme:-

i)          Chairman’s items;

ii)         Members items;

DECIDED:

That the Work Programme be agreed subject to the document being updated and to invite the Community First Response Service Manager to a meeting of the Panel.