Minutes of Annual General Meeting of SHA Cymru Wales 17th October 2019, Clayton Hotel, Cardiff
Present 13, 9 members and 4 guests
Apologies: Sarah Andrews, Philippa Ford, Sue Thomas, Billie Hunter, Mike Hedges, Dr Kathrin Thomas, Anthony Wedlake, Chris Bryan.
The meeting commenced with a presentation from Jeremy Miles A.M., Counsel General for Wales and Minister responsible for “ Brexit” arrangements during which it was noted that:
- Brexit was both a consequence of austerity and would cause further economic pain in Wales
- Tory Brexiteers aim for a low tax, low regulated, economy
- In regard to the NHS, problems were anticipated with the assured supply of medical and other care products such as isotopes if smooth passage through Dover was lost.
- At the UK level 6 weeks buffer stock was being arranged but Wales was not involved in agreeing priorities
- Welsh Government has acquired warehouse capacity for NHS and Social care needs, but at a cost equivalent to buying 7 MRI scanners.
- Supplies of fresh foodstuffs to hospitals and care homes may be affected.
- Welsh Government has launched services to assist EU nationals negotiate any hurdles to staying in Wales if they wish so that any impacts on the care sector workforce might be moderated. It is likely that the current arrangements for recognising international qualifications will cease and some temporary arrangements will be necessary.
- Welsh Government has no intention of implementing any deals agreed by the UK Government that threaten the Welsh NHS. However, Wales might be directed by the Secretary of State to comply with his orders – though there would still be power in the hands of Welsh Ministers about how to respond.
- Since Johnson’s leadership, Welsh involvement in Brexit matters has diminished.
- A misplaced sense that public services were being misused by people not entitled to use them was part of the force behind Brexit which has unleashed a culture within which the NHS can be attacked; the universality of the NHS must be defended as it is a main symbol of social justice.
- The possibility remained that trade deals made after Brexit would adversely affect the Welsh NHS, and although Wales has some powers to hinder such new proposals, it can be directed to implement them. Keeping NHS data out of the hands of private U.S insurance companies is essential.
- Wales and Scotland were co-operating in key areas, including continued involvement in some European meetings from which the UK Government had withdrawn.
- Wales needs a “ shortage occupation” scheme that enables vacant posts to be filled by non UK residents – for example people with veterinary skills.
- Once Brexit passes, there will be work to do to heal divisions; this might include consideration of future constitutional change to protect Wales .
Formal business
- Minutes of last AGM
Noted; the planned AGM in February 2019 had not taken place as planned due to national issues.
B). Chair’s report
The Chair reviewed work done in Wales in 2019, including submissions to Welsh Conference raising concerns at the stalling of improvements in health status and progress in reducing health inequalities. Policy submissions to the Welsh Labour Party had been made on primary care, the performance regime for Health Boards, and aspects of adult social care. The Chair also noted the Welsh contribution to SHA UK and the policy development undertaken. Membership had increased to 54. The report was accepted.
C) Secretary’s report
This report noted the impact of national events within the SHA upon the workload
of Welsh officers who were both Vice Chairs of SHA UK.
Within Wales, three policy proposals have been submitted in 2019 to Labour’s
Policy process. One builds upon the pioneering work of former SHA President
Dr Julian Tudor Hart to re-invigorate primary care in the most deprived areas.
Another seeks to improve the performance management processes operating
between Welsh Government and Local Health Boards so that financial control is
maintained and the required service delivery levels are both known and are
deliverable. The third seeks to encourage greater understanding of the
components of adult social care in Wales, the demand for these, and the funded
capacities.
The second of the proposals above arose from concerns at the comparatively
high number of referrals made to the private healthcare sector for NHS elective
work in 2018/19 by ABMU LHB – 1,595 cases for such care, (74% of 2,170
referrals for Wales as a whole. No information has been provided by the Board
to explain why it is unable to deliver elective capacity sufficient to match waiting
list demand.
During the year concerns had been raised by members about possible
outsourcing of hospital pharmacy services in North Wales and the pressures put
upon professional staff by agencies guarding access to public funds or services.
Officers had explored both issues but found no hard issues of concern; both
issues would be kept under review.
The secretary’s report was accepted.
In discussion, an outline programme of work was agreed to include:
further actions to build upon the work of Dr Julian Tudor Hart, enquiring into
the apparent high levels of NHS work undertaken in the private sector in Swansea, seeking a progress report on the safe staffing Act, and pursuing progress made with a private Assembly member’s bill seeking to create a registered profession of health care administration in Wales.
D. Treasurers report
In the absence of the Treasurer because of illness, the Chair presented the financial report showing a balance at the end of December 2018 of £564-89, with expenditure of £253 on room hire, affiliation fees to the Labour Party, and a contribution to the memorial lecture of Dr Julian Tudor Hart.
E. Election of officers and delegates
The following were elected .
Officers; Chair, Alison Scouller; Secretary, Tony Beddow, Treasurer, Sue
Thomas,
Delegates to Central Council, Alison Scouller and Tony Beddow
Delegates to CLPs to which SHA Cymru Wales is affiliated:
Cardiff West: Alison Scouller, Swansea West: Tony Beddow
Aberavon: John Wilson; Gower – to be determined after discussion with current
Delegate and members in Gower.
F. Future work programme
It was agreed that the following organisational and political work would receive
priority in 2019/20.
Organisationally, the use of technology to facilitate the remote involvement in
meetings of members from across Wales would be explored. The current
approach of seeking to work quietly within the Labour Party to effect change
would be reviewed, and a more proactive campaigning style adopted where
judged appropriate. The web site should be revamped and our PR /
campaigning capacity should be increased.
In policy terms it was agreed that we would:
i) Follow up the three policy submissions made to Welsh Policy Forum
ii) Pursue the high level of use made of the private sector by ABMU /
Swansea Bay Health Board and raise this matter publicly if no satisfactory
answers were provided. (The need for greater transparency within Health
Boards, and their accountability to the local community via Local Government
was agreed).
iii) Assess the adequacy of NHS dental provision in Wales
iv) Follow up progress made, and issues raised, by the “ Safe Staffing Act.
v) Monitor the effect of changes made to the role of CHC’s in Wales.