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Health and Social Security - Approved Panel Minutes - 6 April 2017

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Health and Social Security Scrutiny Panel

Record of Meeting

Date: 6th April 2017

 

Present

Deputy R. Renouf , Chairman Deputy G. Southern , Vice-Chairman Deputy T. McDonald

Senator S. Ferguson

Deputy J. Hilton

Apologies

 

Absent

 

In attendance

Mr A. Harris , Scrutiny Officer Miss K. Boydens , Scrutiny Officer

 

Ref Back

Agenda matter

Action

 

1. Records of Meetings

The Panel noted and approved the record of its meeting held on Thursday 23rd March 2017. The Chairman signed the record accordingly.

 

31.03.17 Item 1

517/36

2. Long-Term Care Scheme Review

The Panel noted that 24 written submissions had been received for the review  so  far.  The  Panel  discussed  the  submissions  and  identified questions to be asked as the review progressed.

The Officer advised that there had been contact with potential advisors to assist with the review and two were likely to submit expressions of interest for the Panel to consider. It was noted that there were concerns from the potential advisors with regards to the timescale for the review and the Panel agreed that it would be flexible in order to accommodate any potential advisors.

The Panel discussed the briefing that took place on 31st March with Officers of Health and Social Services and Social Security. The Officer advised that the transcript from the briefing had been received and would be sent to the departments with requests for information highlighted. The Panel also noted that a follow up visit to the Social Work Team at Eagle House would be organised in due course.

The Chairman advised that his potential conflict of interest with regards to the review had now been resolved.

KB

 

3. Regulation of Care Regulations

The Panel noted that the Draft Regulation of Care Law Regulations were currently out for consultation with various stakeholders. The Chairman advised  that  he  had  received  a  response  from  Senator  P.  Routier regarding some initial concerns and that further discussion and input from the Panel would be required in due course.

 

 

 

The Panel tasked the Officer to research any reviews that had been undertaken  in  the  U.K  in  relation  to  the  regulation  of  care  and safeguarding of employees.

AH

 

4. Request for Information

The Panel received a request from Deputy G. Southern to use information gathered after S.R.3/2016 "Zero Hour Contracts" had been presented for a proposition he planned to bring to the States. The Officer advised that as the information gathered had not been published by the Panel it was not clear if this would be possible due to data protection concerns. The Panel discussed the issue and agreed to refer this to the Greffier of the States for an independent opinion. The Officer advised that this would be undertaken as a priority.

The Panel was offered the opportunity to bring the proposition forward itself, but after discussion it was agreed that it would not be possible to do so in the timescale requested. Deputy Southern agreed to circulate the draft proposition to the Panel in due course for the Panel's reference.

KB/AH

23.03.17 Item 4

517/34

5. Living on Low Income

The Panel noted that information regarding the cost of reinstating the single parent component of Income Support had been requested from the Social Security Department. The Officer advised that this information would be circulated to the Panel once received. The Panel agreed to begin drafting the proposition once this information had been received.

AH

23.03.17 Item 5

6. Mental Health in the Prison

The Panel received a briefing paper from the Officer with information relating to the services provided to the prison through Health and Social Services.

Senator S. Ferguson advised the Panel that there was a potential review being undertaken with regards to Mental Health in the Prison and would circulate information regarding the department that was undertaking it. The Panel tasked the Officer to investigate this in order for the Panel to decide whether it would be appropriate to undertake the review or not. The Officer advised that this would be confirmed in due course.

SF AH

 

7. Question Plan: Quarterly Hearing with the Minister for Health and Social Services

The Panel noted that the Quarterly Hearing with the Minister for Health and Social Services was due to take place on 27th April at 10:00am. The focus for this hearing would be on community services.

The Panel discussed question areas and tasked the Officer to produce a draft question plan for further discussion. The Officer advised that this would be circulated in due course.

KB/AH

 

8. Forthcoming Propositions

The Panel noted that P.23/2017 Draft Income Support (Amendment no.15) (Jersey) Regulations 201- had been lodged by the Minister for Social  Security.  This  proposition  set  out  the  regulations  for  the implementation of the new flexible personal care component of Income Support.

 

 

 

9. Ministerial Decisions

The Panel noted that there had been no recent Ministerial Decisions made by either Minister within the Panel's remit.

 

 

10. Freedom of Information Requests

The  Panel  received  a  document  detailing  Freedom  of  Information requests published in March 2017 that fell within its remit.

 

 

11. States Questions

The Panel noted and discussed recent questions asked in the States Assembly that fell within its remit.

 

 

12. Future Meetings

The Panel noted that its next scheduled meeting would take place on 27th April 2017 at 9:30am in the Le Capelain room, States Building.