JOINT COMMISSIONING GROUP

MEETING

Wednesday 18th May 2011, 11:00 – 1:00

Beaumont Room, Loftus House, Sunderland TPCT

M I N U T E S – COMMERCIALLY SENSITIVE AND IN CONFIDENCE

PRESENT:Stuart Douglass (Chair)– Safer Communities Team

Ben Seale – Safer Communities Team

Louise Hill– Safer Communities Team

Usha Jacob– Safer Communities Team

Lynn Rayner – Jobcentre Plus

Leanne Davis– Safer Communities Team

Kevin Robinson– National Probation Service

Nicola Grainger– Safer Communities Team

Nonnie Crawford – NHS South of Tyne & Wear

Gavin Elliott– Supporting People

Jody Nichols – NHS South of Tyne & Wear

Sheila Rundle – NHS South of Tyne & Wear

Fiona Snowball– Northumbria Police

Karen Ovington – Sunderland City Council

Angela Miller– In attendance

NO. / ITEM / ACTION
1 / APOLOGIES / WELCOME / INTRODUCTIONS
1.1
1.2 / Apologies for absence were received from Sarah Fox and Stephen Potts.
Introductions took place and all were welcomed to the meeting. / INFO
INFO
2 / DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
2.1 / Discussions around the representation at the meeting in the light of the re-design work. The chair reminded all members that in the light of the commercial sensitivities relating to these commissioning processes, any members should ensure that interests are declared. Additionally, it would be necessary to split the agenda to ensure that any members who should not be party to commercially sensitive papers at the meeting would be able to leave once other items had been covered.
Kate Conqueror declared that she is now paid through the Carer’s Centre for some of the work that she carries out. She stated that she still feels able to provide independent representation at these meeting, but would be happy to leave the meeting for sections deemed commercially sensitive.
Damian Borrill declared that as he is employed by the HHAS Drug and Alcohol Team he would also leave the meeting for sections deemed commercially sensitive.. / INFO
3 / MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING – MATTERS ARISING
3.1 / Page 4, item 9.1, Commissioning Intentions
SD noted that discussions took place at the last Safer Sunderland Partnership (SSP) Board meeting around the proposals for the re-design of services. Members of that group had voiced a range of concerns and it was agreed that the item will be discussed further at the next SSP Board meeting on 27 July. Further detail of commissioning intentions to be collated to give the board a clearer understanding of the way forward. / BS/SF
4 / COMMISSIONING UPDATE – CURRENT POSITION / FINDINGS SO FAR
4.1
4.2 / Alcohol Update
NG updated the group around the alcohol evaluation that has been carried out and noted that the focus was around the following areas: -
  • Outcomes
  • Value for money
  • Efficacy of pathways
  • Equitable delivery
  • Areas of improvement
The evaluation has allowed us to see what is working and if resources need to be prioritised differently and to also formulate a forward plan for 2011/12. The evaluation is now nearly complete; however due to lack of availability of key staff the Drug and Alcohol team and Counted 4 CIC have not yet been assessed. Discussions took place and the group agreed that they need to write to them as a group expressing the need for these processes to be completed.
The group looked through the interim findings for the services that had been evaluated and it was noted that the commissioning team would be re-visiting the DISC service in the coming weeks. Discussions took place and it was noted that there remain concerns around the delivery of the DISC structured day care programme. At presentreferrals to this service are very limited.
The group discussed whether it would be possible to re-invest the funding that has not been utilised fully back into the system.
The group agreed that a meeting would need to be held between SD, BS, LH and KR and a representative from DISC agree a way forward. AM to arrange the meeting.
Sunderland Treatment System Re-Design
BS explained the strategic direction to the group and noted that as the group are aware the 2010 drug strategy places strong emphasis the importance of recovery orientation within treatment systems. Additionally, the group will also be mindful of local issues within the Sunderland treatment system.
As such, two consultation events had been held in April with commissioners, providers, carers and service users. The purpose of these consultation days was to establish the following:
  • Functions required of a recovery orientated treatment system for Sunderland
  • Guiding principles to the system
  • Overarching outcomes
  • Solutions to problems identified within the current system
Issues have also been highlighted prior to the consultation work through routes such as the Treatment Effectiveness Group, Process Mapping Days, The Alcohol Evaluation and Care Navigation consultations.
The group looked through the brief summary which indicates the main points derived so far from those exercises. Following on from the consultations the commissioning team have drafted a communication plan and risk management plan. Discussions took place and NG explained to the group about her visit to Barnsley who has just under gone a re-commissioning process. The processes they used are the ones which Sunderland are also looking to use. It was agreed that it may be useful for members of the Barnsley team to come to Sunderland to explain the processes they used in more detail.
Members of the commissioning team will also shortly be visiting Bolton to look at their outcome based approach to commissioning substance misuse services. / INFO
AM
INFO
5 / ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Gavin Elliott – Supporting People
GE explained the Supporting People funding to the group and noted that SP will be required to make substantial savings in the coming year. GE went on to explain that the future services will be streamlined and linked more closely to the Housing Options Team.
He also stated that he will no longer be attending the JCG and that the new SP contacts will be Sharon Lowes / Alan Caddick.
At present the estimated savings total 2 million; however it is anticipated that the same level of service will be provided via streamlining and improvement work.
6 / DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
6.1 / The next meeting is scheduled to take place on Monday 4th July between 11:00 and 1:00 in the Beaumont Room at the Sunderland TPCT Headquarters, Loftus House.

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