Agenda and draft minutes
PDF 131 KBVenue: Ground Floor Meeting Room G02A - 160 Tooley Street, London SE1 2QH. View directions
Contact: Julie Timbrell, Project Manager (scrutiny)
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Apologies
To receive any apologies for absence. Minutes: Apologies were received from Cllr Esme Dobson.
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Notification of any items of business which the chair deems urgent
In special circumstances, an item of business may be added to an agenda within five clear working days of the meeting. Minutes: There were none. |
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Disclosure of Interests and Dispensations
Members to declare any interests and dispensations in respect of any item of business to be considered at this meeting. Minutes: There were none. |
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Minutes
To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the open section of the meeting on 25 July 2024. Supporting documents: Minutes: The Minutes of the meeting on 25 July 2024 were agreed as a correct record.
Cllr Sandra Rhule expressed her regret that she did not send apologies. |
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Topic: Cancer prevention and early diagnosis - Rapid Diagnostics
Minutes: The chair welcomed the following colleagues from the Guy’s and St Thomas’ Trust (GSTT) and Partnership Southwark:
• Dr Kate Haire, Clinical Director South East London (SEL) Accountable Cancer Network (ACN) • Anne Rigg (medical director Guys St Thomas Trust (GSTT) and consultant oncologist • Christopher Sivell, lead nurse Rapid Diagnostic Centre (RDC) • Nikki Macfarlane, Partnership Southwark cancer clinical lead) • Darren Summers, Strategic Director Integrated Health and Care/Southwark Place Executive Lead.
A presentation was provided and then members were invited to ask questions. The following points were made:
· A member asked GSTT colleagues how the long term national ambition of detecting 75% of cancers at an early stage can be reached, given the present local performance ranging between 58% and 53.3% in 2023/24. Clinicians responded that this is the biggest challenge and can be best tackled by ensuring that health services are able to reach the whole population, that there is good access to Primary Care and ensuring patients symptoms are listened to and understood by Primary Care. There is also work to be done to de-stigmatise cancer. Granular engagement shows that for some people health is not a priority as the focus is on trying to exist and survive – for example people on zero-hour contracts and low pay. The wider deterrents of health are very relevant here.
· A member commented that there are people who would find it difficult to access Primary Care as may not be able to not ring in for a GP appointment at 8am. Members asked if there is engagement with corporations employing people on zero hours contracts. The Strategic Director commented that GSTT are primarily commissioned to work with people come forward with symptoms, however GSTT do support people who are struggling to attend appointments and have benefit problems.
· A member commented that people on zero-hour contracts /low paid are often also recent immigrants and there may also be language barriers; the member therefore suggested outreach and leaflets in different languages. The member added that Latin American community associations see people with cancers, such as breast cancer, seeking treatment abroad because of an inability to access care or a perception that care is not available.
· Clinicians said that there is a project working with Latin American community looking how to improve engagement and access to healthcare services. In addition, that is a cervical screening project in Lambeth working with the Latin American community.
· There was a discussion on improving translation services and ensuring that speakers with Spanish from the right country are allocated to patients. Clinicians acknowledged the importance of good quality translation and reported that there are Latin American leaflets available.
· The Rapid Diagnostic Centre confirmed that will it pick up on cancers such as Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, which can be hard to detect early and present with symptoms such as weight loss.
· There was a covid backlog to overcome after the pandemic, and also people were more reluctant to take up invitations to attend hospitals. More work is ongoing ... view the full minutes text for item 5. |
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Access to testing - responding to the cyber-attack
A paper is enclosed on Access to testing - responding to the cyber-attack in Primary Care. Supporting documents: Minutes:
The chair welcomed Darren Summers, Strategic Director Integrated Health and Care/Southwark Place Executive Lead and invited a summary of the paper.
Members were then invited to asked questions and the following points were made:
• There was a discussion on the initial response and the early restriction on urgent tests. There were other diagnostic tests available after 10 days.
• Officers explained that there is an ongoing investigation into the perpetrator, however there was a public announcement that it was a Russian criminal gang.
• The investigation will be looking at lessons learnt, including business continuity. In addition, there is now more training in the council and NHS on protecting ourselves from cyber-attacks.
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Refresh Partnership Southwark priorities - early discussion
Supporting documents: Minutes: The chair welcomed Darren Summers, Strategic Director Integrated Health and Care/Southwark Place Executive Lead and invited him to present.
Members were then invited to make comments on the emerging priorities and the following points were made:
· A member commented that lots of children are emerging from the pandemic with trauma relate to domestic abuse. The Strategic Director agreed and added that domestic abuse is not the only factor; children are also suffering anxiety, fear for the future, and poor school attendance, partly as a result of the pandemic.
· The Strategic Director was asked about reluctance to access mental health and other services. In response he said that services are taking a less punitive, more persuasive approach with is also geared to reducing stigma. An example is school refusal and working with the family. He added that there is work to do with professionals to increase their skills here.
· Members asked about the Southwark Maternity Commission and work on reducing mortality in black mothers. The Strategic Director reported that there was a recent presentation at the Partnership Southwark board. Partnership Southwark is working with the wider system to take the recommendations forward including improving neo natal outcomes.
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Access to Toilets scrutiny review report - cabinet report back
Supporting documents: Minutes:
The commission noted the cabinet report to the scrutiny review report on Improving Access to Toilets, and broadly welcomed the response to the recommendations.
RESOLVED
Officers will be asked to provide an update on the production of the Accessible Toilet Plan, within 12 months , as set out in the report.
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Work Programme
Supporting documents: Minutes: The work programme was noted. |