Issue - meetings

Report of the Service Director, Legal and Governance introducing the invited guests for the inaugural meeting of the scrutiny inquiry, attached. 

The Panel considered the report of the Service Director, Legal and Governance setting out the introduction to the review on Combating Loneliness in Southampton. 

RESOLVED that the following comments, from the Cabinet Member for Health and Sustainable Living, the Interim Chief Executive of the Campaign to End Loneliness, and Southampton City Integrated Commissioning Unit be noted and used as evidence in the review:

Councillor Shields – Cabinet Member for Health and Sustainable Living

Councillor Shields welcomed the inquiry recognising that loneliness presents a significant health risk that impacts on all ages, even in urban areas where issues such as poverty, new communities and transient housing exacerbate the problem.  The inquiry represents an opportunity to make a real difference in Southampton.

Marcus Rand – Interim Chief Executive, Campaign to End Loneliness

Powerpoint presentation giving a broad overview of the prevalence and impact of loneliness, and good practice being employed to tackle loneliness.  The framework developed by the Campaign to End Loneliness that highlights the full range of interventions needed from stakeholders across the community to support older people experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, loneliness was also introduced. Presentation published as background documents for Members.

Adrian Littlemore – Senior Commissioner, Integrated Commissioning Unit

Powerpoint presentation delivered providing an overview of the work being undertaken in Southampton to combat loneliness.  Better Care had been a catalyst for change through focussing on early intervention and support to prevent health issues, and increasing emphasis on self-management and independence. Presentation published as background documents for Members.

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Quality and Integration setting out the introduction to the review on making Southampton a Dementia Friendly City. 

RESOLVED that the following comments, from the Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care, an independent expert from the Alzheimer’s Society, Andover Mind and Southampton City Integrated Commissioning Unit be noted and used as evidence in the review: 

Councillor Shields – Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care

Councillor Shields welcomed the Inquiry stating that this was a good chance to find out what is going on across the City and to position Southampton as a leading dementia friendly City in Europe.  Key challenges in the City include appropriate mix of housing to support people to live independently, making our town and district centres dementia friendly, equipping public sector staff, understanding the leadership required from the City Council. 

Penny Ford – Dementia Action Alliances Projects Manager, Alzheimer’s Society

Powerpoint presentation giving a broad overview of how a wide range of organisations working together can become dementia friendly, through awareness raising, reviewing current practices and adapting to meet the needs of people living with dementia, by giving examples of best practise from across the country.  Presentation published as background documents for Members.

Debbie Moreshead (Andover Mind) – Project Lead, Dementia Friendly Hampshire

Powerpoint presentation giving details on how to create a dementia friendly community in Southampton using examples of best practise used to set up Dementia Friendly Hampshire including key objectives, results met, targets achieved, what went well, what could be improved.  Presentation published as background documents for Members. 

Amanda Luker – Commissioner, Southampton Integrated Commissioning Unit

It was reported:

·  That a Dementia Partnership exists in Southampton. 

·  There was a desire to establish a Dementia Action Alliance. 

·  Last year, working with Age UK, a number of community support groups were provided funding for one year to pilot initiatives, including: art, seafaring, singing for the brain, walking, green care project at Down to Earth community farm.

·  Some groups had been successful and had secured alternative funding.  Some groups were not well attended and may not have been what people with dementia were looking for. 

·  Memory Cafes in the City were supported by Admiral Nurses. 

·  Gaps in the city identified include awareness in care homes / residential homes, busses, engagement work about what people in Southampton want.