Health Scrutiny Committee
Date: 4th December 2024
Time: 2pm
Location: Council Antechamber, Level 2, Town Hall Extension
By Jessica Draper
On Wednesday 4th December, the committee scrutinised the following public reports:
Mental Health S75 Partnership Agreement
Urgent Update: Adult Mental Health statutory functions and duties from Greater Manchester Mental Health Foundation Trust have been transferred to the Adult Social Care Directorate, working with Manchester Local Care Organisation.
Report coming to 15th January 2025 Scrutiny Committee.
Manchester Local Care Organisation’s Community Health Transformation Programme (Progress Report)
In 2018, the Manchester Local Care Organisation Prospectus outlines the system vision for the creation of the Manchester Local Care Organisation (LCO) to ensure timely access to services, provide a standardised level of care, and work across geographic boundaries to ensure an integrated preventative care system.
The Community Health Transformation Programme identified project plans for 2024, including the redesign of Podiatry services, introduction an MRI/Central Discharge Improvement Pilot, and increased preventative health activities. All project plans have either been delivered, are in progress, or are on hold subject to external partnership work.
The committee scrutinised the use of language used in the report, recommending more accessible language to the average reader without the use of medical jargon. The committee also recommended a patient-centered report process, with an improved focus on better health outcomes that will be achieved for patients. The committee also scrutinised the current Palliative Care plan, stating more planning was needed to achieve delivery outcomes.
Revenue Budget Update 2025/26
The Council is forecasting significant budget shortfalls of £101m in 2025/6, £126m in 2026/7, and £164m in 2027/8.
Previous approved budget mitigations include the use of £32m savings, £18m per year of smoothing reserves, and a Council Tax increase of 4.99% (c£11m) a year. Afterwards, the shortfalls stand at £29m in 2025/6, £41m in 2026/7, and £77m in 2027/8. It is anticipated that a significant savings programme will be required to maintain the Council’s financial stability.
The committee expressed the need for any future budget proposals to be subject to an Equalities Impact Assessment.
Public Health Budget 2025-28
In context of the council’s current financial situation, the report provides an overview of the proposed budget changes for Public Health, including a £292k reduction in wellbeing services, a remodel of the Children & Young People’s Services, a remodel of the Sexual Health services, and additional funding allocated to Drug & Alcohol services.
The committee asked for more information in relation to the additional funding needed for Drug & Alcohol services.
Adult Social Care Directorate Budget 2025-28
In context of the council’s current financial situation, the report provides an overview of the proposed budget changes for Adult Social Care, including a reduction of workforce recruitment, increased hospital-to-home discharges, and reduced bed capacity.
The committee asked for more information on the financial implications of the Care Uplift system.
Our Manchester Strategy 2025-35 (Progress Report)
Our Manchester 2015-2025 strategy has achieved a variety of successes including improved schools, hosting major city events, on track to becoming a Real Living Wage City and a Child-Friendly City, and regenerating areas in the wider city landscape.
The following challenges have been identified that still need overcoming:
-
Inequality
-
Prosperity
-
Housing
-
Climate Change
-
Green Neighbourhoods
Our Manchester Strategy are developing their priorities for 2025-2035. The final report will include 12 priorities across three themes: people, neighbourhoods, and city.
The Committee scrutinised the lack of data surrounding actions for climate change and that ‘free text’ option was not provided during residence questionnaires.
The Committee recommended that the 2025-2035 priorities need to include a focus on ACE-awareness and a trauma-responsive city.
Reports: