An apology for absence was received from Councillor Mills.

It was reported that, in accordance with the wishes of the Conservative Group, the membership of the Board had been amended to include Councillor Hytche in place of Councillor Thomas (J).

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meetings of the Board held on  14 May 2012.

The minutes of the meeting of the Board held on 14 May 2012 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Board considered the item in Minute 9, and not included on the agenda, the Chairman being of the opinion that it was urgent by reason of special circumstances i.e. the matter having arisen since the agenda was prepared and it was unreasonable to delay a decision until the next meeting.

To discuss with the League of Friends of the Community Hospitals their role, how they are funded and what their future role could/should be in terms of reducing resource bases.

The Board received a briefing report which outlined the function of Community Hospitals, the services available and how these aligned with, and supported the transition from, acute care.

As from April 2011, Torbay and Southern Devon Health and Care NHS Trust (the Trust) managed eleven Community Hospitals with a total of 196 beds.  The two Community Hospitals in Torbay were based in Brixham (with 20 beds) and Paignton (with 28 beds).

It was noted that the hospitals were open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and that they admitted, treated, rehabilitated and discharged patients.  They provided a multi-professional team response which was focussed on maximising the return to independence of patients through a short-stay in-patient admission.

Each of the Community Hospitals in Torbay had a daytime Minor Injuries Unit and operated a wide range of therapy and out-patient services.  These services included those provided in-house as well as provided from South Devon Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (i.e. Torbay Hospital) and Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust (i.e. Derriford Hospital).

The report went on to give details of the current performance of the Community Hospitals, the interaction with the Community Zone Teams and acute hospitals and the future challenges (such as the ageing population, increasing complexity of needs and increasing community based care).

Representatives of the Leagues of Friends of Paignton and Brixham Hospitals attended the meeting and gave details of the work that they undertook.  It was noted that the Brixham League of Friends had raised the funds for improvements to Brixham Hospital and were now at Stage Three of the refurbishment.

Concerns were raised about whether investment at Brixham Hospital would have an adverse effect on Paignton Hospital including its future viability. The Chief Executive of the Trust assured the Board that there were no plans for Paignton Hospital to close.

The Board asked a number of questions of the Chief Executive including in relation to the use of one floor at Paignton Hospital for offices and the better use of the Community Hospitals for oncology treatment, chemotherapy and blood transfusions.  It was noted that Paignton Hospital was the base for multi-disciplinary community zone teams.

In response to one of the Board’s questions, the Chief Executive advised the Board that safeguarding procedures in relation to vulnerable adults needed to be made more accessible and that the Trust was looking at ways to make information more readily available through “easy read” versions of documents, etc.

The Board heard that the added clinical value of community hospitals was not clear but needed to be quantified in comparison with, for example, nursing homes.

Resolved:  (i)  that the members of the Leagues of Friends of Brixham and Paignton Hospitals be congratulated for their good work;

(ii)        that the Board receive the monthly League of Friends newsletter as part of the Health Digest;

(iii)       that, as part of its Work Programme, the Board define and assess the added clinical value of the Community Hospitals in conjunction with Torbay and Southern Devon Health  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To consider an update report on the current position in relation to the Learning Disabilities Service.

The Board received an update on the Learning Disabilities Services.  The Board was informed that Torbay and Southern Devon Health and Care NHS Trust (the Trust) was continuing to work with the families of the residents of Occombe House to identify an alternative provider who will work with the families and residents to re-develop the site according to the needs of the residents, as identified in the best interest process.

In relation to day services, the number and types of day services provided by the Trust were now focused at Hollacombe Community Resource Centre and Torquay Community Resource Centre with the first phase of these changes being the relocation of services previously provided at Fairwinds.  It was noted that a thorough market assessment of day opportunities in Torbay would be completed later in the year to determine the long term future of the remaining two Centres.

The Board was reminded that, as of April 2012, short breaks were not longer provided at Occombe House.  Short breaks would continue to be provided at Baytree House.  All former clients of the short breaks service at Occombe House now had access to alternatives and are supported by the Community Learning Disabilities Team to ensure that their need continue to be met.  The Board requested a view on how the service has changed due to funding cuts.

Resolved:  that the Chief Executive of the Trust be requested to produce a report on the volume and length of short breaks in comparison with previous years.

To consider a report on the above.

The Board received an update on the Cost Improvement Plan for 2012/2013.  Torbay and Southern Devon Health and Care NHS Trust (the Trust) had identified cost saving programmes for adult social care amounting to £3.2 million.

The Board raised concerns about the delivery of the plans for cost savings in domiciliary care.

It was noted that implementation of the Cost Improvement Plan was discussed informally at the Adults Policy Development Group and the Board raised concern that this was duplicating the work of the Health Scrutiny Board.

Resolved:  (i)  that the Chief Executive of the Trust continue to provide the Director of Adult Services with an updates of the Cost Improvement Plan including progress on proposed savings for Domiciliary Care; and

(ii)        that the Board consider joint working with Adults Policy Development Group were appropriate.

To agree the Work Programme for the Health Scrutiny Board for 2012/2013.

Consideration of this item was deferred to a future meeting.

It was noted that the Department of Health had published for consultation regulations governing local authority health scrutiny.  The deadline for submission of a response was 7 September 2012.

Resolved:  that members of the Board meet informally to discuss their response to the consultation.