Agenda and draft minutes

To confirm the minutes from the previous meeting

1. Minutes of the previous meeting

The meeting was opened and introductions were made.

The minutes of the previous meeting were formally approved.

On the action to invite David Evans to attend meetings, it was noted that no response was received back.

On the action to circulate the ICB slides, it was confirmed this was completed.

To receive any apologies for absence

2. Apologies

Apologies were received from Cllr Link and Cllr Cox.

To receive any declarations of interest

A member with a disclosable pecuniary interest or a personal interest in a matter who attends a meeting of the authority at which the matter is considered -

(i)            must disclose the interest at the start of the meeting or when the interest becomes apparent

and, if the interest is a disclosable pecuniary interest, or a personal interest which is also prejudicial

(ii)           may not participate in any discussion or vote on the matter (and must withdraw to the public seating area) unless they have been granted a dispensation.

A member who discloses at a meeting a disclosable pecuniary interest which is not registered in the Members’ Register of Interests, or is not the subject of a pending notification, must notify the Monitoring Officer of the interest within 28 days of the disclosure.

Disclosable pecuniary interests, personal and prejudicial interests are defined in Part 2 of the Code of Conduct For Members

[If a member is in any doubt as to whether they have an interest which should be declared they should seek the advice of the Monitoring Officer before the start of the meeting]

3. Declarations of Interest

The Chair declared that they are an employee of two local NHS trusts, Hertfordshire Partnership NHS Trust and Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust. The Chair advised that they will not be working at Hertfordshire Partnership Trust from September and will be working at the ICB. It was confirmed that this is listed on the Chair's register of interests.

Cllr Hannell declared that they work as a paramedic in the NHS in the London Ambulance Service and also work for the FA at Wembley Stadium.

Cllr Madden (ph) declared that they campaign for hospital services.

An opportunity for members of the public to make statements or ask questions in accordance with the rules as to public participation

4. Public Participation

KMinier noted that David Evans works for the Hertfordshire Partnership Foundation Trust as the Transformation and Partnership Manager. KMinier confirmed that he is on the South and West Hertfordshire Healthcare Partnership Co-Production Board, which discusses projects for the area and is not an official commissioning body.

5. Ward Issues

Cllr Hannell referred to the recent fire on 8 May 2023 that devastated the pharmacy at Bennetts End. A full report has been provided on the actions that Cllr Hannell will be taking to ensure that impacts are minimised to Bennetts End residents. It is the only surgery in the Bennetts End ward and one of only two pharmacies. Cllr Hannell noted that staff ensured the surgery was running the following morning and is now operating with minimal impact to the local community, though there is an impact through losing a pharmacy that served around 16,500 constituents and has also impacted the other pharmacy in Bennetts Gate, which is now seeing a 400% rise in prescriptions they need to process. Cllr Hannell praised all involved and stated that they hope that the surgery will be returning to full capacity in the coming weeks and a temporary pharmacy will be installed in 4-6 weeks time. The surgery has asked the council to assist with messaging regarding the circumstances.

The Chair asked if regular messages are being sent out to the community regarding the surgery. DSoutham confirmed that this would be checked with the comms team and would be picked up if not.

Cllr Bhinder queried what caused the pharmacy fire. Cllr Hannell advised that this is a matter of public record and it is believed to be an electrical fire that started accidentally. Cllr Hannell commended the work of the staff and that the Council has been able to provide support.

The Chair thanked Cllr Hannell for supporting the surgery.

Cllr Patterson asked if any prescribing issues have been addressed. Cllr Hannell confirmed that there has been no impact on patient services as the 13 doctor rooms and one waiting area were left undamaged. On advanced care, Cllr Hannell stated that medical staff have confirmed that there has been no impact on the care they can provide for patients.

Cllr Madden provided an update on Gade Tower and advised that she is working with residents as well as the headteacher at Nash Mills School, who contacted the councillor to raise his concerns regarding the mental and physical wellbeing of residents at Gade Tower. Cllr Madden advised that Gade Tower is in a poor state with black mould in bedrooms, a ventilation system that draws smoke from other flats into children's bedrooms at night, and resident children have poor school attendance rates due to ongoing chest infections. Cllr Madden explained that she is currently drafting an email to the Dacorum housing team to ask when action will be taken to move families out and make the building safe and habitable.

The death of a child in Rochdale due to effects of black mould was referred to. JDoe advised that the housing team has reviewed if there are any issues in Dacorum properties. Cllr Madden confirmed that the team have surveyed all properties several weeks ago and that she has not received a further update. Cllr Madden advised that one  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6. West Herts Hospital Trust

The Chair noted that West Herts Hospital Trust representatives have not been attending meetings for some time. It was noted that they have previously declined to attend. Cllr Bhinder noted that they are now looking at new avenues. It was suggested that the lack of attendance should be raised with Trust management.

The Chair queried how many times West Herts Hospital Trust have declined to attend meetings. Cllr Bhinder suggested that they have now declined to attend 3-4 times, adding that it is not uncommon for them to not reply and they last attended over a year ago. Cllr Madden advised that the Trust has recently updated its Board of Directors and it was noted that this has made it more challenging to identify the correct contact.

JDoe confirmed that this item could be picked up at SLT level and provide a response back to the Committee.

It was noted that updates should be provided to the Committee if no representatives are able to attend.

EGlatter commented that there is no statutory duty for the Trust.

It was was suggested that West Herts Hospital Trust's public engagement strategy be reviewed. Dacorum is a large area and it is therefore essential that the voices of residents are heard.

7. Clinical Commissioning Group

The Chair noted that this item needs to be updated to the Integrated Care Board.

9 County Council Adult Care Services Report

The Chair confirmed there was no report to receive.

9 County Council Adult Care Services Report

The Chair confirmed there was no report to receive.

10. Work Programme

The Chair commented on the lack of representation from other agencies and that this should be addressed.

The Chair suggested that the committee look to be a collaborative working group that represents residents and asked councillors to make suggestions regarding attendees and major issues that should be considered.

Cllr Madden stated that Jim McManus should be invited to speak to provide the group with a background on public health. The Chair agreed that Jim McManus should be invited to attend.

EGlatter asked that Hemel Hospital be considered, stating that it is being neglected and that services are being moved elsewhere. EGlatter advised that they have looked to present a vision on the use of Hemel Hospital and referred to a news story in the Hemel Gazette regarding the growth of house building in the area between Hemel and the M1 with a proposed 5,000 houses.

Cllr Cox joined the meeting.

EGlatter advised that housing developers are being asked to provide something back to the community and that there is no mention of any health provision. JDoe confirmed that the St Albans Local Plan will go out to consultation in July and DBC will be a statutory consultee in the process with council officers already liaising with St Albans officers regarding the matter. JDoe confirmed that the portfolio holder will be briefed in due course and a report can be brought back to SPAE. A response can be formulated regarding any items relating to public health. JDoe added that DBC hosts the Hemel Garden Communities Team and that the service is putting together an infrastructure delivery plan to support the development and this will also include health.

EGlatter voiced her concerns regarding current services at Hemel Hospital being lost, including phlebotomy and radiology, and noted that the promised MRI will now be at St Albans.

EGlatter asked members to review the Hemel Hospital vision so that work on the plan can progress. Cllr Bhinder queried where the vision is available to view. EGlatter stated that it should be available via their website.

Cllr Bhinder requested clarification regarding the 11,000 homes and it was confirmed that the 5,000 homes referred to by EGlatter was included in this. JDoe confirmed that this is an estimated figure at present and may be refined further.

Cllr Madden commented that a resident had discussed a recent antenatal appointment at Hemel Hospital and that she had described it as a 'ghost town' and that it was not a pleasant experience to attend. Cllr Bhinder responded that these concerns have been raised repeatedly and that representatives are no longer attending meetings.

The Chair asked if there is a joint strategic needs assessment around health at a local level. JDoe confirmed that this would be checked. The Chair suggested that this would allow for the identification of health needs of residents. The Chair noted that residents have raised issues regarding GP surgery access and a strategic needs assessment for Dacorum will help the committee define the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.