Agenda item

To apprise members of the current position with the Covid-19 pandemic and associated impacts.

Mr Roy Fisher, Chairman, Blackpool Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) introduced the report to the Committee and invited questions.

Members referred to vaccinations in care homes and Dr Neil Hartley-Smith, Executive Clinical Director, Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre CCGs advised that the most recent data, of 15 March 2021, indicated that 91.2% of Blackpool care home residents had received their first vaccination. Ms Karen Smith, Director of Adult Services added that Blackpool was in the top five of vaccination rates nationally for older care home residents.

It was reported that the vaccination programme as a whole in Blackpool had been very successful to date with 94.1% of over 80 year olds, 94.5% of over 75 year olds, 88.4% of over 70 year olds and those clinically extremely vulnerable, 88.2% of over 65 year olds and 62% of those aged 60 to 64 year olds or those with other conditions having already received the first dose of the vaccination. The Committee and those in attendance praised the work of everyone involved in the vaccination roll out to date.

Members referred to the recent concerns raised regarding the Astrazeneca vaccine and blood clots and queried whether it was expected that the concerns would have an impact on update. Dr Hartley-Smith advised that the reports were unfortunate and that blood clots were a routine occurrence. He added that medical regulators had determined that there was no correlation and that millions of vaccinations had been given in the UK with no concerns identified. Dr Arif Rajpura, Director of Public Health highlighted that almost 50% of the UK adult population had been vaccinated and that the lockdown and successful vaccination programme had made a significant impact on the number of deaths.

In response to a further question on vaccinations, Dr Hartley-Smith advised that marketing and communications would be utilised to provide assurance to the public on the safety of the vaccines.

The Committee raised concerns that only 43% of staff from black and minority ethnic communities had received the vaccination. Mr Kevin McGee, Chief Executive, Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust reported that the Trust had worked with all staff groups and delivered personal messages to all those with concerns about the vaccination in order to increase uptake. He noted that overall, 7,500 staff had been vaccinated which was a great achievement.

It was noted that there were currently 1,301 patients recorded as waiting over 52 weeks for treatment and Members queried what the usual figure would be. In response, Mr McGee advised that pre-Covid the target for 52 week waits was zero and numbers were usually very low. He noted that the significant increase was a consequence of a severe reduction in the level of work undertaken outside of Covid and that restoration work was due to commence shortly in an ambition to recover the position, however, it would take time.

Dr Hartley-Smith advised that the primary and secondary care worked closely together in order to review all ‘long waiters’ and mitigate risks with the most clinically urgent cases being prioritised. It was also acknowledged that Covid was endemic and cases would continue, therefore, pathways must be kept open. A plan for recovering those waiting more than 52 weeks had been submitted to the Department for Health and sought funding to recover the position in 18 to 24 months. Members considered that the issue must be monitored and requested a report in 12 months on the position.

The Committee went on to consider ‘long covid’ and queried the support being put in place for those suffering. Dr Hartley-Smith advised that a Lancashire-wide clinic had been set up to which patients could be referred to. It was noted that Covid was still a new disease and there was much to learn about the long term effects. Dr Rajpura added that patients suffered a wide range of symptoms ranging from mild to severe and treatment required a holistic approach. Members suggested that communications be utilised to draw attention to the ‘long covid’ clinic for members of the public that might be suffering at home unaware that support could be provided and it was agreed that such communication would be sensible as soon as it could be prioritised. It was also agreed that an update on ‘long covid would be included in future reporting to the Committee.

It was noted that mental health had become an even bigger issue during Covid, not just in relation to suffering from the virus but also due to the impact on life, jobs, childcare and increased levels of stress and that service provision had already been stretched prior to the pandemic. Dr Hartley-Smith advised that the main provider of mental health services in Blackpool, Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust (LSCFT) had been investing in spoken therapies and all services were trying to work with patients holistically to address the causes of ill mental health and not just treat the symptoms. He advised that the GP continued to be a patient’s first point of contact to discuss concerns around mental health. The Committee noted that Mental Health remained an item on its workplan for further consideration.

During further discussion on mental health service provision, Mr McGee advised that the Hospitals Trust worked closely with LSCFT and had been creating an ‘emergency village’ at Blackpool Victoria Hospital which would allow for better care and support for mental health patients presenting at the Emergency Department through the provision of dedicated support. Dr Rajpura added that it was expected that health inequalities would have widened due to the impact of the pandemic on the economy, employment and education. He considered that a large effort would be required following the pandemic to reduce such inequalities and that a significant investment in the voluntary sector would be required. Members noted that all sectors working together would be key in achieving progress.

Concern was raised regarding the services that had ceased during the pandemic, such as ear syringing, and noted the potential of impact on patients. Dr Hartley-Smith explained that such procedures had been risk assessed as posing a risk due to the potential for an aerosol to be generated during the procedure which would require a high level of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that was unavailable to GPs. He added that Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) provision continued at the hospital where such PPE was utilised and rooms fully ventilated. Advice was also provided to patients in order to assist them to resolve any issues themselves where possible.

In regards to the 111 Pilot Scheme, it was reported that the pilot had been considered to be successful to date with good uptake in use. It was noted that there was still work to do to ensure all members of the public were aware of 111 and utilised the service correctly. It was agreed that a further update on the use of 111 be provided at a future meeting.

Members also asked a question regarding delivery of the vaccination to patients with learning difficulties and it was noted that the current vaccination rate was 71.8% and that training was provided to vaccinators on diversionary tactics and being sympathetic to the needs of the individuals being vaccinated.

In conclusion of consideration of the item, Mr Fisher praised the joint working of all organisations in Blackpool and thanked Officers of the Council and Councillors for their support.

The Committee agreed:

1.     To receive a report in approximately 12 months on the progress made with regards to patients waiting more than 52 weeks.

2.     To receive updates on ‘long covid’ and the use of 111 to future meetings of the Committee.