Agenda and minutes

Cllr Mitchell declared a personal interest as part the Volunteer Alliance supporting the vaccination programme.  Cllr Armiger declared a personal interest as an ongoing patient at Northern Lincolnshire & Goole NHS Foundation Trust.

No whip was declared.

Resolved - That the minutes of the meeting of this panelheld on 8 December 2020 and 14 December 2020, having been printed and circulated amongst the members, be taken as read and correctly recorded and be signed by the chairman.

There were no requests received

i.        Vaccination Programme

ii.        Impact of Covid-19 on other specialisms

The Chairman welcomed Alex Seale, Chief Operating Officer, North Lincolnshire CCG, and Shaun Stacey, Chief Operating Officer, Northern Lincolnshire & Goole NHS Foundation Trust (NLaG), to the meeting. 

The Chairman explained that the representatives from the CCG and NLaG had been invited to discuss the current and planned situation regarding the COVID-19 vaccination programme in North Lincolnshire, as well as the elective care recovery programme across the sub-region.

Alex and Shaun delivered a short stakeholder briefing presentation to the panel, which covered the current and planned situation regarding the vaccination programme.  This included an overview of the situation nationally, across the Humber, Coast and Vale patch, and within North Lincolnshire.  It was confirmed that 43,737 cumulative vaccine doses had been delivered within North Lincolnshire to date.

An overview of the cohorts agreed by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) was given, along with a description of the demographic impact of the health protection that would be provided by the programme.

The Chairman and members asked a range of questions, including on how people would access vaccinations, the prioritisation of certain cohorts, uptake amongst residents and staff in care homes, and whether people would have a choice of vaccine.  Detailed responses were provided.

Alex and Shaun then tabled a briefing document which discussed how the local Health and Care Partnership intended to respond to the backlog of elective procedures and interventions.  Work was ongoing to enable patients to access required care at a suitable venue and time.

Several specialties had been identified as requiring particular focus, due to lengthy waiting lists or other considerations.  These were:

·       Ophthalmology,

·       Orthopaedics,

·       Urology, and

·       Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT)

Further information was also provided, such as the impact of COVID-19, the need to ensure equality of access, models for clinical prioritisation, etc.

Members again asked a series of relevant questions, including on supporting staff, any North Lincolnshire specific issues, the need to learn lessons, and future changes to organisational structures.  It was acknowledged that the situation was likely to be challenging for several years.  However, Alex and Shaun committed to continue involving and consulting with local elected members, including via the Health Scrutiny Panel.

        Resolved – (a) That Alex Seale and Shaun Stacey be thanked for their attendance and for providing answers to members’ questions; (b) that the situation be noted, and (c) that the panel maintain an oversight of the vaccination programme, elective recovery programme, and any future organisational changes.

        There was no added item for consideration at the meeting.