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Health and Social Security Scrutiny Panel
Record of Meeting
Date: 11th May 2017
Present | Deputy R. Renouf , Chairman Deputy G. Southern , Vice-Chairman Deputy T. McDonald Senator S. Ferguson Deputy J. Hilton |
Apologies |
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Absent |
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In attendance | Miss K. Boydens , Scrutiny Officer Mr A. Harris , Scrutiny Officer |
Ref Back | Agenda matter | Action |
| 1. Records of Meetings The Panel noted and approved the records of the meetings held on 31st March, 6th and 18th April 2017. The Chairman signed them accordingly. |
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06/03/17 Item 2 517/36 | 2. Long-Term Care Scheme The Panel received an update from the Officer on the progress of its review. It was noted that two expressions of interest had been received in response to the search for an advisor with actuarial experience – the Government Actuary Department (GAD) and BWCI Consulting Limited. In relation to GAD, the Panel noted the concerns raised by the Social Security Department as GAD had carried out actuarial reviews for the Department in the past and would be asked to tender for further actuarial roles in the future. On that basis, the Panel agreed to appoint BWCI Consulting Limited as they had relevant expertise and experience to carry out a financial review of the Long-Term Care Fund. The Officer was tasked to make the necessary arrangements. In relation to the advisor with social policy expertise, the Panel had received one expression of interest from Professor M. Johnson from the University of Bath. The Panel noted that Professor Johnson had extensive knowledge of long-term care and domiciliary care of older people, including assessment issues. The Panel agreed to appoint Professor Johnson to the role of expert advisor. The Officer was tasked to make the necessary arrangements. The Panel agreed that an initial discussion with the two advisors should be organised in the first instance in order to discuss the objectives of the review. It was agreed that a conference call with Professor Johnson would be organised, and a face-to-face meeting with BWCI would be organised in due course. In relation to the Hearing schedule, the Panel was advised that two members of the public preferred to give oral evidence instead of a written | KB KB KB KB |
| submission. The Panel agreed that these sessions should be held in private and should take place in May 2017. |
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06/04/17 Item 5 517/34 | 3. Living on a Low Income The Panel noted that it was still waiting for a response from the Social Security Department regarding the cost of reinstating the single parent component of Income Support. The Chairman advised that the matter would be followed up directly with the Minister. | RR |
06/04/17 Item 6 | 4. Mental Health in the Prison The Panel received an update from the Officer and noted that it was still unclear as to whether a review was already being undertaken into mental health in the prison. The Officer advised that further research would be undertaken on this matter in preparation for the next meeting. | AH |
09/03/17 Item 3 517/35 | 5. Service Users of Home Care The Panel noted that the Ministerial Response to S.R.1/2017 "Service Users of Home Care" had been presented by the Minister for Health and Social Services. The Panel was pleased that its recommendation had been accepted. The Panel noted that the Chairman of Family Nursing and Home Care (FNHC) had written to the Greffier of the States with concerns about the findings made in the Panel's report. It was noted that Scrutiny protocol had been followed during the review and that it was for the Panel to decide the next course of action. After discussing the matter, the Panel acknowledged the concerns raised by FNHC but ultimately stood by its findings. The Panel agreed that the response from FNHC should be published onto the Scrutiny website. The Panel tasked the Officer to write to the FNHC Chairman to advise of the outcome of the discussions. | AH |
09/03/17 Item 5 | 6. Work Programme The Panel discussed its Work Programme for 2017. It was agreed that due to the elections in May 2018, the Panel would not commence any new reviews after Christmas. The Panel was advised that the Minister for Health and Social Services had called a meeting with the Chairman and Scrutiny Officer to discuss the governance structure of the Health Department. It was noted that the meeting would be taking place later on at 3:00pm. It was agreed that depending on the outcome of the meeting and whether a new review would be undertaken, the Work Programme would be discussed again at the Panel's next meeting. | AH |
06/04/17 Item 8 | 7. Forthcoming Propositions The Panel noted that two propositions had been lodged by the Minister for Social Security since the Panel last met. |
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06/04/17 Item 9 | 8. Ministerial Decisions The Panel noted that three Ministerial Decisions had been made by the Minister for Social Security and one had been made by the Minister for Health and Social Services since the Panel last met. |
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06/04/17 Item 10 | 9. Freedom of Information Requests |
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| The Panel noted that several Freedom of Information requests had been published during April 2017. |
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06/04/17 Item 11 | 10. Written and Oral Questions in the States The Panel noted the most recent questions asked in the States Assembly that fell within its remit. |
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| 11. Future Meetings The Panel noted that its next scheduled meeting would take place on 1st June 2017 at 9:30am in the Le Capelain room, States Building. |
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