Agenda and minutes

The Chair to note apologies for absence.

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Brian Sargeant.

The Chair to note public address requests.

The public can speak on any agenda item for a maximum of three minutes per speaker per item.  You are not required to register your intention to speak in advance but should arrive at the meeting a few minutes early, complete a Public Address Protocol and notify the Scrutiny Officer of your intention to speak.

There were none.

Members to state any interests.

There were none.

The Scrutiny Panel to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 21 September 2017.

The minutes of the meeting held on 21 September 2017 were signed by the Chair as a true and accurate record.

The Scrutiny Panel to receive responses to its core questions from a variety of key expert advisors.

A response was not received from the Director of Public Health, NCC.

Dr Tom Howsman, local GP, together with Dr Jackie Parkes, Dementia Specialist, provided a response to the core questions of the Scrutiny Panel.  The salient points were highlighted:

·         The Dementia Friendly Northamptonshire guide has been published and was launched at the UoN Future Directions in Dementia care Conference on the 14th November 2017.   Over 15,000 copies have been printed.

·         The Northamptonshire DAA was the first local alliance to be set up in the East Midlands.

·         Northampton has a strong commitment from public, private and voluntary sectors to support, promote and work towards a greater awareness of dementia.

·         Opening in the Central Library on Abington Street in Northampton in February 2018, the UnityDEM Centre will provide social support and informative activities for people who have been recently diagnosed with dementia and their carers. A team of professionals and volunteers will provide an enjoyable, flexible and adaptive programme from 10.00am until 4.00pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays

·         Dr Howsman confirmed that his focus is around the Strategy.  The rag rating system is used against the objectives; the work programme is then set.

·         There are several national programmes and projects such as the Dementia Challenge 2020.

·         Across Northamptonshire there are 5,500 people diagnosed as living with dementia; 30% equates to Northampton, around 1,800.

·         All of the services commissioned by the CCG are to be dementia friendly.

·         The generic understanding of, and awareness of dementia has increased across the piste

·         Dr Howsman commended the research and support provided by Dr Parkes and her team

The Scrutiny Panel asked questions, made comment and heard:

·         There is a need to ensure that those people living with dementia, and their carers, receive the support they need.

·         The CCG aims to ensure that the correct medicine and support is provided.

·         It is important that the Strategy and the care packages available are looked at.

·         2/3 of people living with dementia remain in their own homes.

·         Education is key

·         All professionals have a duty of care regarding safeguarding

·         Organisations around Northamptonshire are encouraged to acquire the accreditation in respect of Dementia Friendly town.

·         Misdiagnosis was more of an issue in the past; less people are diagnosed as living with dementia as they were 20 years ago.  Some times the patient does not want to hear the diagnosis.  A brain scan is performed, not to detect dementia, but to rule out other medical conditions such as a tumour.  Not everyone needs a scan but it is often performed so that a brain tumour can be ruled out.

Dr Howsman and Dr Parkes were thanked for their informative address.

AGREED:      That the information provided informs the evidence base of this Scrutiny Review.

Consideration of this agenda item was taken at agenda item 5b.

A response was not received from the   Cabinet Members for Adult Social Care and Education, Northamptonshire County Council.

Inspector Rich Tompkins, Northants Police, provided a response to the core questions of the Scrutiny Panel:

·         Inspector Tompkins explained his job role and responsibilities.

·         108 incidents were reported over the past month that attributed to mental health.  This equated to 165 hours of officer time to deal with.

·         Staff are trained on dementia awareness, in particular new staff. 

·         Flags are put on addresses and missing people regarding mental health.

·         The Herbert Protocol was commended and this is something that Inspector Tompkins would like to trial in Northampton.  The public is encouraged to put together an information pack in case a relative of theirs, who lives with dementia, goes missing. The pack would contain details of previous addresses, where they like to visit etc.  The information is retained by the carer.

·         A number of Police Cadets go into nursing and care homes and liaise with the residents.

·         The law has changed regarding mental health and detaining individuals at the Police station.  In the last six months only two individuals have been detained under S136 Act.

The Scrutiny Panel asked questions, made comment and heard:

·         The Police now has a Health care professional who assesses those in custody every 30 minutes.

·         In response to a query regarding missing persons, the Scrutiny Panel heard that the Police uses intelligence to grade the situation.   They can do work around mobile phones and financial checks.   The higher the risk, the more resources are used.  The Police has good links with CCTV.

·         Officers are taught to treat each case on its own merits.  The Police has a triage mental health car and health practitioners are based in the control room.

·         Northants Police is looking to replicate the Intensive Users Pilot Scheme that Hampshire Police introduced.

·         The mental health team works with the crisis team regarding frequent callers to ascertain their needs.

·         The criminal justice system should be used only when relevant.

·         The Police has access to interpreters 24/7.    

Inspector Tompkins was thanked for his informative address.

AGREED:      That the information provided informs the evidence base of this Scrutiny Review.

A response was not received from representatives of St Andrews.

Dawn Rosen, Dementia Team, provided a response to the core questions of the Scrutiny Panel:

·         The work of the Trust was explained.

·         There is a Team that assists younger persons that have been diagnosed as living with dementia.  They often need support and assistance around:

Ø      Maintaining employment

Ø      Having had to stop driving

Ø      Financial problems

·         There are a lack of services for younger people living with dementia.

·         Support Groups and Respite Care  for carers is very important.

The Scrutiny Panel asked questions, made comment and heard:

·         The Carers’ Trust East Midlands provides emergency respite care for people in their own homes.  It can be booked 72 hours prior to when it is needed.  It is a free service.

Dawn Rosen was thanked for her informative address.

AGREED:      That the information provided informs the evidence base of this Scrutiny Review.

Louise Musson, Call Care Manager, NBC, gave the Scrutiny Panel a short demonstration on the equipment available to people living with dementia that are customers of the Council’s call care system.

AGREED:      That the information provided informs the evidence base of this Scrutiny Review.

The Scrutiny Panel to receive a variety of case studies to inform its evidence base.

The Scrutiny Panel noted a case study that had been circulated with the agenda pack.

AGREED:      That the information provided informs the evidence base of this Scrutiny Review.

Information regarding Power of Attorney.

The Scrutiny Panel noted a briefing noted that detailed information regarding Power of Attorney that had been circulated with the agenda pack.

AGREED:      That the information provided informs the evidence base of this Scrutiny Review.

The Scrutiny Panel to receive a briefing note detailing best practice.

The Scrutiny Panel noted a briefing note detailing examples of best practice that had been circulated with the agenda pack.

AGREED:      That the information provided informs the evidence base of this Scrutiny Review.

The meeting concluded at 7:45pm following which the Scrutiny Panel watched a short video about the value of music for people living with dementia.