Agenda, decisions and minutes

As noted above.

To receive any declaration of interest by any Member or Officer in respect of any item of business.

None received.

To submit a report by the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.

The Chair welcomed Mr Dyfed Edwards, Chair of the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and Mr Paul Andrew – IC Director of Operations (West) – Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to the meeting.

Mr Paul Andrew gave a brief presentation to the Committee on the strong partnership between the Health Board and the Authority who has a shared focus on improving health, independence and wellbeing for the residents of Anglesey.

In considering the report, the following were points of discussion by the Committee:-

·         Reference was made to the disappointment locally that the four-bed St David’s Hospice provision in Penrhos Stanley Hospital has closed recently.  Questions were raised whether the four-bed unit will be transferred for extra bed provision at the hospital. Mr Andrew responded that the four-bedded area is providing therapies and other resources to patients currently at the hospital.  He noted that a one-bed resource is available in the Hospice in Llandudno. 

·         Reference was made to the resilience of both bridges across the Menai Straits.  Questions were raised whether the Health Board has action plans in place to address such a scenario that both bridges were closed in transferring patients, in emergencies, to Ysbyty Gwynedd.  Further questions raised whether a provision is available at Cefni Hospital and Penrhos Stanley Hospital and whether there is a need to invest in both these hospitals to address such a situation.  Mr Dyfed Edwards responded that the Health Board did respond to the consultation by Welsh Government highlighting the concerns that both bridges could close due to high winds or any other emergency.  He noted that many of the Health Boards staff live on the Island who need to cross the bridges to and from work daily.  He noted that the investment in provisions locally is important to afford patients to receive their treatment and support.  Mr Andrew said that there are business continuity plans (Tactical Control Group) in place if the scenario occurred that both bridges across the Menai Straits were to close. 

·         During the presentation it was reported that there is strong working relationship between the Health Board and this Council. Questions were raised as to the provision afforded by the Social Workers from the Local Authority whilst attending to patients at Ysbyty Gwynedd.  Mr Andrew responded that there has been a change in the model of working between health and social care since the last two years with Social Workers presence at the hospital.  He noted that it came apparent that not all patients needed to be seen by a Social Worker and bed-blocking occurred whilst waiting for the patient to be seen by a Social Worker.  The Head of Adults’ Services said that the AmAdref provision was undertaken with Social Workers attending to patients at Ysbyty Gwynedd to gauge the pathway of care an individual requires whilst returning home.  The Reablement Team also attends to patients at Ysbyty Gwynedd to ensure that patients receive the correct care package.  He expressed that it is important that the patients are safe  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

To receive a presentation by the Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust.

The Chair welcomed Ms Emma Wood – Chief Executive and Ms Estelle Hitchon – Director of Partnership and Engagement of the Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust to the meeting. 

A brief presentation was given by the representative from the Welsh Ambulance Service which highlighted the recent Welsh Ambulance Phase 2 Framework to address the patients’ clinical needs.

In considering the report, the following were points of discussion by the Committee:-

·                 Questions were raised whether the 15 minutes transfer of patients from the Ambulance to the A+E department is still a standard.  Ms Emma Wood responded that the UK standards for patient’s handover is 15 minutes.  She noted that work has been undertaken by the Ambulance Services with all Health Boards to bring the current handover period to 45 minutes.  The Ministerial Advisory Group Recommendation Report highlighted the 45 minutes handover as a standard.  Ms Estelle Hitchon said that the 45 minutes handover of patients would be a significant improvement to the current transfer period seen over the last few years. 

·                 Questions were raised as to what specific steps are undertaken to improve the response periods for category 1 and category 2 emergencies on Anglesey and whether there are sufficient Ambulance crews to service such a rural area or is the service reliant on crews from Bangor and Gwynedd.  Ms Emma Wood responded that demand and capacity procedure is conducted to ensure that there are appropriate ambulance resources within the area.  She noted that within rural areas, the service is dependent on volunteers as first responders and rapid response vehicles are also deployed.  However, the longer these resources are stationary outside hospitals there is fewer availability for resources to attend to patients.  She noted that crews from other areas is undertaken when the needs arise.  Ms Estelle Hitchon said that the new model of operational response is that there are more welfare and clinical telephone support for patients that are waiting for an ambulance so as to gauge whether a patient is deteriorating/improving or whether the family have decided to take the patients themselves to the hospital.  Community Responders also attend the lower category patients if required to monitor the condition of a patient and to inform the Ambulance Service. 

·                 Questions were raised as to the number of calls the Ambulance Service receives with regard to Mental Health emergencies and what specialist training is provided to the staff.  Ms Emma Wood responded that the information as to the number of calls received as regards to Mental Health emergencies will need to be afforded to the Committee in due course.  She noted that training for Mental Health emergencies is part of the Paramedic Course afforded by the University and the Ambulance Services is striving to improve training for ambulance crews.  She further said that trained nurses within the Ambulance Services Call Centre can advice and refer the practitioners who have advance skills within Mental Health to the patients.

·                 Questions were raised as to why stroke patients are referred to as amber  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.