Agenda item

Communications

To consider any communications to be submitted by the Mayor or the Chief Executive.

Minutes:

(a)       Barnsley Healthcare Federation

 

The Chief Executive reminded Members that the last 18 months had been a challenge for each and every resident in Barnsley.  Local Primary Care services had continued to remain available and able to support patients; this had been made possible through the hard work and dedication of staff at Barnsley Healthcare Federation.  Staff at the Federation had worked tirelessly to ensure Primary Care remained open and resilient to all the challenges posed by the pandemic.  Throughout this period the Federation had achieved the following:

 

·         Understanding the pressures at the beginning of the pandemic BHF made a bulk purchase of PPE, that was unavailable to individual Practices.  All PPE was stored centrally and distributed out at the time of need and without delay, ensuring the health and safety of all its workers. 

 

·         Created the Covid-19 clinic to support all symptomatic patients. This Primary Care Hub provided a viable alternative to A&E.   As a direct result all Barnsley Practices remained as ‘cold sites’ meaning GP Practices had not seen COVID-19 symptomatic patients, keeping Practice staff and patients safe.  The COVID Clinic was centrally located in Barnsley to enable all patients across the Borough to have access, supported by Home Visitors for housebound patients.

 

·         The Covid Vaccination Programme comprised of 3 hubs and 32 pop-up clinics which were available to any Barnsley resident.  This had enabled residents to be vaccinated ahead of government targets.  At full capacity Priory Campus was the largest site in South Yorkshire.  The model was truly Barnsley wide.

 

·         As more and more young people suffer with mental health issues stemming from the pandemic the Federation started working with schools and young people in Barnsley to offer social prescribing.  This service is tailored to young people to support their unique needs linking in with family support. 

 

·         They have continued to offer, through extended hours, a central cervical screening programme, to reduce the potential for late cancer diagnosis.   Over 1,000 women have had a cervical screening examination through this central service.

 

The team at Barnsley Healthcare Federation is led by three individuals James Barker; Andrea Parkin and Thomas Croker, with Andrea and Thomas in attendance at the Council meeting.  These individuals  excelled in their dedication to Barnsley and its residents.

 

It was stressed that it was also important to reflect that all the achievements of the Federation had only been possible as a result of the hard work of each member of staff, and that it was a proud moment for Barnsley Healthcare Federation and all Barnsley Primary Care teams.  

 

The Chief Executive, on behalf of Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, gave praise and thanks.

 

Councillor Sir Steve Houghton CBE noted the difficulties over the past two years and the work done to protect people from Covid and all other health challenges faced across the borough. He said it was a proud moment for Barnsley, recognising the work of the team, including the work around cancer and cancer screening.  The plans for a cancer screening unit as part of The Glassworks were noted. He expressed his thanks for the team and their work with the Council and for all that the Federation has done.

 

The Mayor added their thanks for the fantastic work they had done across the borough.

 

(b)       Strong Life Care

 

The Chief Executive spoke about Thornhill House care home, a nursing home situated in Darfield, owned by Strong Life Care who operate two care homes in Barnsley.

 

In 2021 Strong Life Care were nominated and won a number of awards including the Caring UK Awards Best Care Home in the UK overall winner.

 

The home, managed by Christian Whiteley – Mason and his team, has worked tirelessly throughout the Covid pandemic to ensure that both staff and residents were kept safe and that maintaining their health and well-being was at the centre of anything the home has done.

 

To keep spirits high, Christian and the team organised a number of events for staff and residents, and the home has continued to fundraise for the local community, raising over £14,000 as well as arranging the collection and delivery of Easter eggs and Christmas gifts for other care home residents across the borough.

 

The home had more recently developed a Covid memorial garden where family members and staff can sit and remember loved ones.

 

In recognition of Christian and the team at Thornhill’s efforts throughout what had been an exceptionally difficult time for the care sector, Christian was recently nominated by colleagues in the authority to attend 10 Downing Street for a Prime Minister’s reception, held in recognition of the contribution of care workers.

 

Christian was in attendance at Full Council to pass on thanks, not just to him, but to all care workers who continued to support the most vulnerable members of the community.

 

Councillor Markham acknowledged the significant improvements made since 2010 when the home was taken over and said that Darfield was proud of them. They had set an example, with no Covid cases throughout the pandemic, and had undertaken amazing charity work. Their work to establish a memorial garden, organise live events and raise funds for charity were noted. Thanks were given for all the work undertaken.

 

Councillor Platts added her congratulations and thanks for the work staff had undertaken during the pandemic and support they continued to provide every day. It was wonderful for Members to see the work undertaken.  Thornhill house was rightly deserving of the awards, and of the invitation to Downing Street.

 

Councillor Sir Steve Houghton CBE noted that winning any national award was worthy of recognition, but to do so in the pandemic was particularly noteworthy.  Thanks were given to all staff at Strong Life Care, and to all those involved in providing residential and domiciliary care throughout the borough during the pandemic.

 

The Mayor added her congratulations on the award and praised the hard work of all the staff.

 

(c)        Public Health Nursing Service CQC Inspection Rating: Outstanding

 

The Chief Executive was extremely proud to announce that the 0-19 Public Health Nursing Service, who provide health visiting and school nursing services, had been rated as Outstanding in a recent Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection. This was the first CQC inspection the service had received since transferring from the NHS into Barnsley Council, under the direction of our Public Health service in 2016.

 

During the inspection, the CQC found the following outstanding practice:

 

·         Staff were consistent in supporting people to live healthier lives and put children, young people, and families at the centre of their care.

·         Staff had innovative solutions to providing care, working well with other teams and partners. It was noted that they did this particularly well during the COVID-19 pandemic.

·         Services were tailored to meet the needs of individuals and staff treat children, young people and their families with compassion and kindness.

·         Staff were highly motivated to offer care that promoted peoples’ rights and upheld their dignity.

·         People who use the service were at the centre of safeguarding and staff had a proactive approach to anticipating and managing risk.

·         Feedback from service users was consistently positive and people thought the support they received exceeded their expectations.

 

It was acknowledged that the Public Health Nursing Service was universal; provided to all children and young people aged 0-19 years, or up to 25 for anyone with a disability. Teams work with children, young people, and their families to improve health and wellbeing, help families make informed health choices and identify additional support needs early.

 

Congratulations were given to Alicia Sansome, Tracy Letchford and Karen Clayton and everyone in the Public Health Nursing Service for this huge achievement.

 

Councillor Andrews BEM added his congratulations, noting that there was some nervousness within the staff when the service transferred from the NHS to the Council.  Thanks to the leadership of Julia Burrows and work of Alicia Sansome, the service had gone from strength to strength.

 

Councillor Sir Steve Houghton CBE also offered congratulations, and noted the rating recognised the work of the staff, but also the impact of Public Health being in the local authority. He echoed the thanks to Julia Burrows and Alicia Sansome in the service and across Public Health for all the work they and their teams did.

 

The Mayor also offered congratulations on the outstanding achievement.

 

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