Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

There were no apologies received.

All Members who believe they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting must declare that interest and, having regard to Part 3 Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council's Members’ Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code.  Furthermore all Members with a Personal Interest in a matter being considered at the meeting should consider, having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 4 of the Code, whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 5 of the Code, consider whether it is appropriate to leave the meeting while the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.

Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter considered at the meeting they must declare that interest at the time of the relevant debate and, having regard to the circumstances described in Part 3, Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council's Members' Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code.  Furthermore, Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Personal interest in a matter being considered at the meeting they considered whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 5 of the Code, considered whether it was appropriate to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.

There were no declarations of interest.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 15 December 2020 were agreed as a correct record. 

To receive any deputations notified under Standing Order 12.

There were no deputations received.  

Councillor Jackie Porter spoke at the meeting to raise queries about the Track and Trace programme and tackling the causes of rises in local areas.  She noted that it was critical to engage the public in understanding post-vaccine behaviour.  She inquired about a recent cancellation of immunization and how to avoid it in the future.  She expressed concerns about elderly residents being difficult to reach regarding immunization as withheld number calls are not answered to avoid scams, and how to address this communication issue with GP offices.

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

The Chairman made the general observation that everyone must continue to be very careful, have their guard up, and abide by the rules.

To receive a report from the Director of Public Health on the current situation and up to date data.

The Director of Public Health shared the weekly update with the Board outlining the current position in term of managing the outbreak in Hampshire including data on current infection numbers, the position for care homes, and death rates across the county.  Members heard that while vaccinations protect individuals, they do not prevent spreading it.

In response to the query raised by Councillor Jackie Porter, the confusion regarding the cancelled vaccinations organized by CCGs was due to an error in the cancellation process,  in the early part of the programme.  The incident has been reviewed and not expected to happen again.

Weekly case rates and changes in national scales were reviewed, confirming the current R rate of 1-1.2.  There has been a decline in the majority of age groups and data at the district level shows falling rates in most areas.  The over 60s rate is critical for due to the impact on hospitalization and is monitored alongside the high transmission in the younger population.  There were 126 deaths in the latest week.

The hospital data is not as up to date but is currently plateauing and mechanical ventilated beds and critical care needs, vital resources, are rising.  Key messages and factors continue to be a priority.

The Hampshire Local Outbreak Engagement Board noted the current data and implications. 

To receive an update from the Director of Public Health on actions taken and powers that have been used.

The Director of Public Health provided an update on work continuing with supermarkets, smaller businesses, and faith communities providing advice for Covid secure operations.  Members heard that the Environmental Health Team have visited all retail settings to ensure Covid secure measures are in place and advice given where required.  Taxis and private hire vehicles have measures and advice available to them and the key message remains to stay home.

Community testing continues with lateral flow rapid testing, though not as accurate as the PCR test.  Testing for front line workers is being developed.  As these tests are not licensed to be taken at home, working out the logistics for socially distanced testing is key, with an 8-week programme of community testing in place to break the chain of the infection.  It is an exciting development and a large piece of work to roll out successfully.

To receive an update on community engagement and messaging, including communication with communities and district councils.

The Executive Member of Public Health updated the Board on communications and engagement noting the data is for the period from 1 December to 6 January.  Members heard that it has been a rapidly changing situation and communication activity and engagement has continued.  

Social media posts have reached over 1.1 million residents and they had been looking to the County Council for reliable information over Christmas, tier changes, and lockdown.  During that period, there were 150 news items and key areas of enquiry were in relation to tiers, schools, vaccinations, etc.  

NHS messaging has been amplified in collaboration with districts and parishes.  Community testing enquiries are on the rise and proactive engagement has continued with schools and nurseries.  

Looking ahead, priorities will include vaccine hesitancy, support to self-isolate and for support bubbles, mental health support for self-isolation as well as support for fuel poverty and vulnerable families.  Every Mind Matters programme, extended support hours, Connect campaign, and grants continue.  

Members thanked officers on the Communication team who have had extremely high standards with powerful imagery, new content, and consistent engagement.  In anticipation for dealing with the pandemic for some considerable time yet, messaging continues to shop safely- less often, alone, masked, and observing social distance.  Letters have gone out to all supermarkets with rules and national guidance and further public communication on this would be helpful.  

The Environmental Health Team is happy to take information from Councillors and the public to visit shops and have conversations with managers regarding any violations observed.  National chains can also be approached via the primary authority route with any issues or concerns.  It was noted that some family carers are not able to leave their children with learning disabilities at home when needing to shop and entry should not be refused to carers in these situations.

To receive an overview of the NHS vaccination programme and most recent data.

With the Chairman’s agreement Item 9 was taken first, out of order.

The Director of Public Health introduced a representative from NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight to provide an overview of the vaccination programme.  Members heard that this is logistically hugely challenging but vital part of the protection against the virus and work continues in collaboration with the Public Health team.  

As part of the Integrated Care System delivery, the data is maintained at a national level and cannot be shared at the local or regional level at this time.  Data sets are expected to be released soon for information at the more granular level such as local areas and CCGs.

The aim of the programme is to save as many lives as possible as quickly as possible while reducing hospitalization and pressures on the NHS.  Currently in Phase 1, the 4 levels of those cohorts identified most at risk by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) including over 80s, those living or working in care homes, and then people over 75 and 70, as well those clinically vulnerable.  First doses for all those groups are well on track to be completed by 14 February.  In Hampshire and the Isle of Wight (HIOW), 84% of care homes and 70% of over 80s have been reached via Primary Care Networks (PCNs) and General Practitioners (GPs).  

The model of delivery is in three modes for HIOW– community vaccination services, hospital hub model, and vaccination centres.  In addition to front line health and social care staff, work continues to identify people in terms of the workforce.  Smaller local services have helped with easier access and 4 new locations (Basingstoke, Southampton, Portsmouth, and Isle of Wight) will be up and running by the beginning of February.  Work continues with pharmacies to be able to vaccinate from their premises.  For capacity, both GPs and the National Booking Service will reach out via phone or letter for pharmacy appointments or vaccination centres (currently within a 60-mile radius, not necessarily in Hampshire).  For wider cohorts in the general population, first doses are expected to be completed by the beginning of summer contracting and flexing as needed to reach all of HIOW.  It was emphasized that at this time the goal is to save lives and strictly protect the JCVI cohorts.

In response to questions, Members heard:

The information used at the national level for appointments at the large vaccination centres comes from clinical records at GP practices.  There have been some issues with overlap as the systems were not linked up in the beginning, but once it is up and running, the offer letter will share all access options and have sight of planned and current vaccinations.  Concerns and confusion regarding vaccination via National Booking System or GPs should be addressed in the meantime.

Vaccines from different manufacturers are allocated centrally from one system with sight of the remaining needs for local population with adequate supplies to manage core priorities.  Regional and national colleagues  ...  view the full minutes text for item 65.