BRIEFING TO HEALTH SCRUTINY

Report Title: Council Motions

Report Author: Oliver Collins

Date: 26th September 2017

Background: There were two health related motions tabled at the Full Council Meeting on 12th July, with a further … motions tabled at the Full Council meeting on the 13th September

12th July Motion This Council:  Notes that in 2014 / 15 there were an estimated 1.3 million female victims and 600,000 male victims of domestic abuse and that, on average, 100 women and 30 men a year are killed in situations involving domestic abuse.  Remains totally committed to opposing domestic violence in all its forms, to supporting its victims, and to working for a society where all members of our community treat one another with compassion, kindness and respect.  Believes that Government should share these priorities and is therefore bitterly opposed to Conservative Government proposals requiring victims of domestic violence seeking legal aid to provide a prescribed piece of evidence to prove they have been subjected to abuse.  Notes that such evidence can include a letter from a General Practitioner for which some GPs charge a fee of up to £75, as this sits outside of the NHS contract.  Believes that it is totally unreasonable to expect the victims of domestic violence to pay such a fee; that many such victims will struggle to find the fee.

Council resolves to  Ask the Chief Executive to write to the Minister of Justice outlining this Council’s opposition to the imposition of a requirement for victims of domestic violence to produce letters or similar evidence of abuse to access legal aid and asking the Government to scrap this requirement.  Ask the Chief Executive to write to the Borough’s three Members of Parliament and the new Mayor of Greater Manchester asking them to support this position.  Ask the Health and Well-being Board and the Domestic Violence Partnership to contact local GPs asking them to make a

commitment not to charge victims for letters until such time as this requirement is scrapped.  Register as a supporter of the ‘Scrap the Fee’ campaign established by Tom Watson MP and Safe Spots.

------Motion On average 3,000 people are killed or seriously injured each year in drink drive collisions on Britain’s roads. Nearly one in six of all deaths on the road involve drivers who are over the legal alcohol limit.

Council notes that:  The current permitted limit in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood  In Scotland the limit was reduced in December 2014 to 50mg  The Local Government Association has recently called on the Government to reduce the limit in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to that of Scotland.

This Council believes that, as a contribution towards a further reduction in road deaths, the drink drive limit should be reduced across England, Wales and Northern Ireland to 50mg per 100ml of blood to bring it into line with Scotland.

This Council therefore resolves to ask the Chief Executive to write to:

 The Secretary of State for Transport to outline this Council’s position and to ask him to introduce this measure as soon as is practicable.  Our three local Members of Parliament asking them to make representations in support of this position to the minister.

13th September Motion This council notes that: 1. DEFRA published the policy paper ’Air Quality Plan for nitrogen dioxide’ in July 2017 which sets out the Government’s strategy to reduce nitrogen dioxide pollution and promises to make the UK a global leader in air quality 2. Evidence from the World Health Organisation, Public Health England and the Royal College of Physicians outlines the damaging impact of poor air quality on our health, disproportionally affecting children, older people, people with pre-existing heart conditions and people on lower incomes 3. has been designated as “urban with major conurbation”, which puts us in the top 23% most urban Local Authority Districts. DEFRA has also placed Oldham within the “above the legal limit but no feasibility study needs to be done” category for air pollution, showing that Oldham’s urban nature affects the levels of pollution within the area. 4. Oldham’s nitrogen dioxide level is above the legal limit

5. Oldham is making progress towards reaching the legal limit and is expected to achieve this by 2021, however more can be done

This Council welcomes the Air Quality Plan as far as it goes, but believes that action needs to be taken at a local, Greater Manchester and national level to increase the rate of progress and keep levels to the legal limit in the future.

This Council resolves 1. To ask the Health and Well Being Board’s Air Quality Sub Group to move as quickly as possible to produce an Air Quality Improvement Scheme for Oldham which should include what we as individuals can do, as well as action by Oldham Council and by Greater Manchester bodies 2. To press Transport for Greater Manchester and Greater Manchester Combined Authority to develop a more inclusive approach to improving air quality including a. Improving orbital public transport links b. Improving connectivity between city centres e.g. by revising the Low Carbon Strategy to include measures which will help Oldham c. Investing in cycling lanes and facilities in the outer boroughs 3. To inform and support the Greater Manchester bid for the maximum possible funding from the Clean Air Fund to support local action 4. To support the wider use of low emission vehicles e.g. by encouraging the installation of charging points for electric cars

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Motion This Council notes that:  Adult Congenital Heart Disease [ACHD] patients, their families and carers living in Oldham have raised genuine concerns regarding the proposed changes to ACHD treatment in Greater Manchester.  There has recently been a review of congenital heart disease treatment services in this region.  That the new national standards are intended ensure that patients receive a high quality, safe and timely service.

Council is concerned that:  There is uncertainty regarding the location of future services that will be provided to Oldham ACHD patients, their families and carers.  Some patients will be obliged to access services and surgery outside the North West at specialist centres in Leeds, Newcastle and .  In the event of an emergency attendance at a local hospital, a patient will be “stabilised and managed by doctors until fit for transfer to a specialist centre”.

Council believes that:  It is unreasonable to expect patients with such conditions and their carers and families, to make significant journeys outside of the North West for the more specialist procedures or surgery.

 That patient safety is a number one priority.  That NHS Trusts in the North West Region, should be actively working together to provide accessible, high quality, safe and effective ACHD services.

Council therefore resolves to ask the Chief Executive to make representation on this matter to:

 The Secretary of State for Health.  The Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust.  The Greater Manchester Mayor.  Jim McMahon MP, MP and Debbie Abrahams MP

Asking them to seek assurance that the needs of patients and families will be prioritised in making the changes to services.

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Attached as Appendix 1 is a briefing compiled following a visit to the Dementia Hub that is based at Salford University. This is in relation to the previously discussed Council motion on Dementia.

Recommendations to Health Scrutiny

Health Scrutiny sub-committee is asked to note the update.