The Health and Social Care Scrutiny Commission was scheduled to discuss a range of important health and social care issues. Key topics included an update on safeguarding implementation, a review of access to public toilets, and a presentation on pain management services. The commission was also set to consider the role of Physician Associates in primary care and receive an update on dental access within the borough.

Safeguarding Implementation Update

The commission was scheduled to receive an update on the implementation of safeguarding measures. This would have provided an overview of progress and any developments in ensuring the safety and well-being of vulnerable individuals within the borough.

Access to Toilets - Headline Report

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a scrutiny review concerning access to public toilets. The report was expected to outline the current provision of public conveniences across Southwark, highlighting any identified cold spots where provision is particularly poor, such as in Peckham and Camberwell. The review was also set to address the impact of inadequate toilet provision on various groups, including older people, disabled individuals, parents with young children, and homeless individuals, framing it as both an equality and public health issue. Recommendations were anticipated regarding the development of a comprehensive Southwark Toilet Strategy, the enhancement of community toilet schemes, and strategies to mitigate anti-social behaviour in and around public toilet facilities. The report also referenced the Publicly Available Toilets Problem Reduction Guide [PubliclyAvailableToiletsProblemReductionGuide.pdf], which offers guidance on designing, constructing, and managing public toilets to minimise crime and misuse.

Pain Management

A presentation was scheduled to cover pain management services, with contributions expected from Dr. Nancy Kuchemann, Clinical and Care Professional Lead at Partnership Southwark, Dr. Tom Smith, Consultant in Pain Medicine and Service Lead at Guy's and St Thomas', and Russell Don, Programme Manager at Partnership Southwark. The report, titled SEL and Southwark Chronic Pain Update [Chronic Pain.pdf], was expected to detail the local population's demographics and their potential impact on chronic pain service provision, highlighting inequalities in chronic pain prevalence, particularly among Black females. It was also to discuss feedback on current provision, national recommendations for pain management networks, and local service provision in primary and secondary care. The report also touched upon training and education for clinicians working with chronic pain patients and the development of a resource pack for clinicians.

Physician Associates

The role of Physician Associates (PAs) in primary care was scheduled for discussion, with a presentation titled Physicians Associates - developing new roles in primary care [Physicians Associates.ppt.pdf]. The report was expected to explain that PAs are an additional role within the NHS Workforce Plan, designed to increase capacity and improve access to primary care, working under the supervision of GPs. It would have outlined their qualifications and the current position of the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) regarding their regulation and integration into general practice. The presentation was also to detail the current situation in Southwark Primary Care Networks, where PAs are employed to complement the roles of GPs and nurses.

Dental Access

An update on dental access within Southwark was to be presented, likely covering the challenges and initiatives related to providing NHS dental services. The report, Dental Access - Southwark [Dental Access.pdf], was expected to detail the current contractual arrangements for dental services, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on dental access, and the provision of urgent dental care. It was also to present data on tooth decay among children and highlight national data on inequalities in children's oral health. The report would have also outlined the key commitments of the Dental Recovery Plan, including increases in the Unit of Dental Activity (UDA) value and the introduction of a new patient premium.

Other Scheduled Items

The commission was also scheduled to receive apologies for absence, consider any urgent items of business, and note any disclosures of interests. The minutes of the previous meeting on 5 February 2024 [5 February 2024 Minutes.pdf] were to be approved as a correct record. Additionally, the commission's work programme was to be reviewed, with a covering report [Work Programme Covering report.pdf] and the commission's workplan [Commission workplan.pdf] available for discussion. A briefing on safeguarding was also listed as an agenda item [Safeguarding briefing.pdf].