Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Doggett and James.

The minutes of the meeting of the Board held on 16 March 2012 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Board considered the draft Quality Account of South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust.  The Chairman of the Trust’s Board and the Operations Manager for Torbay attended the meeting to present their report and to answer the Board’s questions.

Consideration was given to the work that was ongoing in relation to reducing the numbers of falls, raising awareness of the identification and reporting of pressure sores, increasing the availability of major trauma specialist care in the South West and reducing the re-contact rate with the Ambulance Service.

The Board also highlighted the continued need for the local authority and all health trusts to work together on the wider public health agenda and within the framework of the emerging Health and Wellbeing Board.

Resolved:  that, subject to the inclusion of wording in relation to public health, the draft statement from the Health Scrutiny Board on South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust’s Quality Account 2011/2012 as set out in the report be agreed.

To consider the draft Quality Account of Torbay and Southern Devon Health and Care NHS Trust for 2011/2012 and the Board’s proposed response.

The Board considered the draft Quality Account for Torbay and South Devon Health and Care NHS Trust.  The Trust’s Assistant Director of Professional Practice attended the meeting to present the draft Account and to answer the Board’s questions.

Consideration was given to the priorities in relation to enhancing adult and children’s safeguarding, the development and introduction of a quality and safety monitoring tool for independent health care providers and improving access to obesity services.

The previous discussions which the Board had had with the Trust on the production of its Quality Account was noted and it was requested that the Board be involved in discussions about future priorities at an early stage next year.

Resolved:  that, subject to the inclusion of wording in relation to public health, the draft statement from the Health Scrutiny Board on Torbay and Southern Devon Health and Care NHS Trust’s Quality Account 2011/2012 as set out in the report be agreed.

The Board considered the draft Quality Account for South Devon Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.  The Trust’s Director of Nursing and Quality and Deputy Chief Executive attended the meeting to present the draft Account and to answer the Board’s questions.

The Board asked questions in relation to “intentional rounding”, “productive ward” and “enhance recovery” and how these processes benefited patients.  Consideration was also given to improving the quality of end of life care and to safeguarding issues which had been highlighted in previous audits.

The Board praised the jargon-free nature of the Quality Account and the easy to read format of the document.

Resolved:  that, subject to the inclusion of wording in relation to public health, the draft statement from the Health Scrutiny Board on South Devon Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s Quality Account 2011/2012 as set out in the report be agreed.

The Board considered the draft Quality Account for Devon Partnership NHS Trust.

Resolved:  that, subject to the inclusion of wording in relation to public health and a reference that the Quality Account considered by the Board was not as detailed as was expected, the draft statement from the Health Scrutiny Board on South Devon Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s Quality Account 2011/2012 as set out in the report be agreed.