To receive any apologies for absence.

There were no apologies received.

To receive any declarations of interest.

There were no declarations of interest received.

To approve the part I minutes of the meeting held on 16 September 2015.

The minutes of the meeting held on 16 September 2015 were signed as a true and correct record.

To receive an update on the Frimley Park Trust.

Andrew Morris, Chief Executive Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, attended the meeting to provide an update on progress being made since the creation of Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust just over a year ago.  There had been a lot of focus on improving the culture within the organisation.

(Cllr Lenton joined the meeting)

The Panel were informed that progress was being made on all quality standards with it being the first time all standards were met at Wexham; the hospital was now a much happier place to work and had about 500.000 patients per year.

Staffing for the organisation remained an issue with over 200 vacancies.  Progress was being made and an intake of student recruitment had lead to a decrease in agency staff.  There was still a long way to go to get the two hospitals up to the standards of Frimley; but good progress was being made.

Wexham Park had a new emergency department with £25 million being invested.  There would be a new walk in patient area and paediatrics area with single rooms for those patients that were going to be admitted. Performance was improving with a 4 hour turn around period implemented.  The first floor had 60 beds for a short care treatment and assessment area.

Improvements were planned for the maternity ward with work due to start June 2016.  There was also plans to improve the high dependency area with better nursing and clinical support.  The trust was also working with Royal Berkshire Hospital to improve cancer treatment with as much care being undertaken on a single site; they were also working closely with the Macmillan cancer support.

With regards to Heatherwood it continued to make huge losses and there was a need to invest in the buildings and infrastructure.  Work was underway on a 70 million development.  An ambitious centre was planned but there was a need to sell as much of the site as possible to generate funds.

Because of the burden placed on Frimley by supporting Heatherwood and Wexham it was the first time the trust had been in deficit (about £30 million).  They were working on reducing this by working more efficiently.

The results of the CQC inspection had just been undertaken and as there had been no red flags raised he was confident that they would not be rated as inadequate which would show the public that things were getting better.

Councillor Yong reported that it had been noted that there had been a huge change in the attitude of the staff and there had been huge improvements at Wexham.  It was suggested that an article could go in Around the Royal Borough so residents were informed of the changes.

Councillor M Airey reported that there was concern about service provision when he volunteered in A&E in 2010 so he was pleased to hear about the improvements being made.  The Panel were informed that improvements had been made by introducing better decision making models and better work models  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To consider the mealtime experience in Wexham Park Hospital – Healthwatch WAM

The Panel noted the he mealtime experience report in Wexham Park Hospital produced by Healthwatch WAM.  The report was used to aid discussion on the Frimley Park Trust update.

To consider the emergency provision during Royal Ascot.

Agenda item withdrawn.

To comment on the report being consider by Cabinet and Council.

Item withdrawn.

To consider the report being considered by Cabinet.

The Panel considered the latest financial update. The Finance Partner explained that the borough, along with many local authorities, was experiencing significant and unfunded demand in Adult Social Care. This had resulted in an overspend of £2m.

The Panel had already considered the unprecedented demand on the directorate following last winters spike that did not reduce as expected.  During the year there was also a reduction in the Public Health Grant and thus RBWM will lose £276.5k of its £4.468m grant allocation.

Other significant demand related budget pressures include higher than expected costs for caring for those with a learning disability, and for those with mental health problems. The costs of meeting the requirements of Deprivation of Liberty Safeguarding (DOLS) regulations  were also significantly above budget.

Councillor M Airey questioned if the overspend would be mitigated by savings and was informed that savings in the Operations directorate had offset this by £650,000 and there was also significant additional NNDR income that would be used; subject to council approval.  Other savings were also outlined within the report.

Councillor Jones raised concern that the overspend had not been foreseen as she had been raising demand as an issue over the last two years.  The budget set had not been realistic and she had raised concerns about the viability of Shared Lives.  There was concern that savings were trying to be achieved where there were none left. 

The Panel were informed that although there was an overspend savings had been made by being more efficient and having better procurement. 

The Panel considered the implications of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguarding (DOLS) regulations  and were informed that the authority had to find a S12 doctor and trained assessor.  RBWM had a high number of care beds per population and this resulted in increased costs; higher then the rest of Berkshire.

Cllr Jones questioned the increased costs in adults with learning disability and asked if transition plans were in place with children’s services.  The Panel were informed that both directorates worked closely with each other and transitions plans were in place. 

Resolved unanimously:  The Adult Services and Health Overview and Scrutiny Panel considered the report and fully endorsed the recommendation.  The Panel discussed the reason for the overspend in Adult Services and the mitigating actions being taken.  It was felt that as the Adult services overspend was ongoing this should be reflected in the 2016/17 budget build.  

To note the Panel’s work programme for the next 4 months.

The Panel approved their work programme.  Cllr Jones asked for a future discussion topic on social workers and was informed that the new head of service would be reviewing this area and could report back once this had been undertaken.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local

Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the remainder of the

meeting whilst discussion takes place on the grounds that they involve

the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1-7

of part I of Schedule 12A of the Act.

To consider the Part II minutes of the meeting held on 16 September 2015.

To comment on the Cabinet report.