Report by Interim Chief Officer.
4
The Interim Chief Officer submitted a report providing an update on key operational activity, including the HSCP’s operational response to COVID-19, since the last meeting of the IJB held on 25 June 2021.
The report intimated that the continually changing circumstances locally and nationally continued to necessitate the prioritisation of the HSCP’s response to the pandemic, including the continued delivery with partners of the COVID-19 vaccination programme. The report also provided an update on the regional and national developments for health and social care services.
The report provided detail in relation to the vaccination programmes; care homes; the COVID assessment centre; the Scottish Government update on isolation exemptions and for physical distancing; operational services; HSCP strategic and operational updates; the review of administration and business support; addressing the demand services; the independent review of adult social care; the new legal duties under the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016; and the report by the Mental Health Commission on the findings of their assessment of the impact of COVID-19 on people who had needed to be treated against their will using compulsory measures under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003.
In relation to the National Records of Scotland’s recent publication on probable suicide figures, it was with deep regret that the IJB noted that there were 22 probable suicides in Renfrewshire in 2020. One life lost to suicide was one too many and the significant impact the suicide had on families, friends, loved ones and communities was recognised.
DECIDED:
(a) That the updates on the Renfrewshire vaccination programmes and ongoing operational response to the COVID pandemic, as detailed in sections 4 to 8 of the report, be noted;
(b) That the update on the findings of the National Records of Scotland publication of alcohol, drug and probable suicide related death figures and the ongoing work of the HSCP, ADP and Alcohol and Drugs Commission in Renfrewshire to support those with addictions, as detailed in section 10 of the report, be noted;
(c) That the work now underway to progress the review of Administration and Business services, as detailed in section 11 of the report, be noted;
(d) That the work being undertaken by the HSCP to identify resourcing requirements to meet short-term demand and the associated funding arrangements to do so, as detailed in section 12 of the report, be noted; and
(e) That the national policy updates, covering the independent review of adult social care, new legal duties under the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 and the report by the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland on the use of the Mental Health Act in Scotland during COVID-19, as detailed in sections 13 to 15 of the report, be noted.