To confirm as correct records the Minutes of the meetings of this Committee held on 4 October 2012.

The minutes of the meeting of the Board held on 4 October 2012 were confirmed as a correct record and were signed by the Chairman.

a)         To receive declarations of non pecuniary interests in respect of items on this agenda

For reference:  Having declared their non pecuniary interest members may remain in the meeting and speak and, vote on the matter in question.  A completed disclosure of interests form should be returned to the Clerk before the conclusion of the meeting.

b)        To receive declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests in respect of items on this agenda

For reference:  Where a Member has a disclosable pecuniary interest he/she must leave the meeting during consideration of the item.  However, the Member may remain in the meeting to make representations, answer questions or give evidence if the public have a right to do so, but having done so the Member must then immediately leave the meeting, may not vote and must not improperly seek to influence the outcome of the matter.  A completed disclosure of interests form should be returned to the Clerk before the conclusion of the meeting.

(Please Note:  If Members and Officers wish to seek advice on any potential interests they may have, they should contact Democratic Services or Legal Services prior to the meeting.)

Councillor Doggett declared a non-pecuniary interest as a member of the Medicine Management Sub-group.

To receive an update on the latest developments concerning the proposed developments at the Brixham Hospital site.

The Board considered a report on the finalised proposals for the re-provision of the St Kilda Care Home on the Brixham Hospital site.  The proposal included the provision of three 12 bedroom wings to provide care for people with dementia, the elderly and intermediate rehabilitation.  There would also be two day centre areas.

It was noted that a partnership approach would be taken in funding the proposal with Torbay and Southern Devon Health and Care NHS Trust contributing the NHS owned land at Brixham Hospital, Sandwell Community Caring Trust borrowing funds to provide the majority of the capital costs for the new St Kilda facility and Brixham Hospital League of Friends providing up to £1 million of funding towards the costs with the retention of fractional ownership of the new facility.  Torbay Council would contribute to the scheme once the disposal of the existing St Kilda site had taken place.

It was reported that work would continue in the longer term to assess the viability of St Luke’s GP practice re-locating to the Brixham Hospital site as had been originally envisaged.

Consultation and engagement on the current proposal was continuing with the community of Brixham with an open day being planned alongside the submission of the planning application.

Members of the Board suggested that discussions should commence at an early stage with public transport providers to ensure that the site continued to be adequately served. 

It was agreed that the Board would receive a further update once planning permission had been granted.

To consider the Local Account and to make any comments to the Council.

It was noted that Local Accounts had been introduced by the Government in 2011 to provide greater transparency on adult social care information enabling local accountability for performance.  The Account included a variety of qualitative and quantitative information based around the performance headings from the Annual Strategic Agreement.

Whilst it was acknowledged that the version of the Local Account now being considered was better than the previous draft which had been presented to it, the Board expressed concern that there needed to be further clarity about the audience for the document and how the wording within it should take this audience into account.

Resolved:  that the Council be recommended to approve the Local Account for 2011/2012.

To consider the attached report which seeks to clarify the respective accountabilities of the Trust, the Council and the Care Quality Commission in relation to care homes in Torbay.

The Board received a report clarifying the respective accountabilities of the Torbay and Southern Devon Health and Care NHS Trust, Torbay Council and the Care Quality Commission in relation to care homes in Torbay.

The Board considered a number of issues including:

·         Where specific responsibilities lay

·         The numbers of people supported in care homes in Torbay

·         The numbers and sizes of homes compared to the national average

·         The ongoing review of care home fees; and

·         The assurance processes in place

The Board identified a number of issues which it would explore at its meeting in February when a representative of the Care Quality Commission would be present.  The Board also requested that the Local Involvement Network be invited to attend that meeting along with the Executive Lead for Adult Social Care and Older People.

To receive a briefing from Dr Kulkarni on the above.

The Board received a presentation from Dr Kulkarni of the Grosvenor Road GP Surgery in Paignton on the proposal for his surgery and Withycombe Lodge GP Surgery to relocate from the central Paignton area to new purpose-built premises at Yannon’s Farm, Paignton (opposite the Roselands estate).

It was noted that both surgeries currently occupied converted residential homes with no room for development or expansion.  Both practices were inadequate in terms of parking, access for disabled people and natural light.

Both practices would move as distinct and separate entities as this was the stated preference of patients and staff.  However, there would be opportunities for economies of scale through shared areas for meeting rooms, staff rooms, toilets and waiting areas.  Co-location would also lead to better integrated working, particularly in the development of specialist skills.

Purpose built, efficient accommodation with up-to-date facilities would benefit patients through the ability of the surgeries being able to provide a range of other services such as pharmacy, alternative therapies and health visitor clinics.

Dr Kulkarni provided information on the consultation and engagement process which both practices had been undertaking.  He also provided information on how the needs of existing vulnerable patients would be met.

Resolved:  that the proposals (including the engagement work being carried out with patients and the community) be noted and supported.