Agenda item

9.1      NHS Borders

Chief Officer Social Care and Health, Susan Manion, was in attendance to give an update on behalf of NHS Borders.  Ms Manion reported that on 29 April NHS Borders had held a celebrating excellence in staff event where a number of staff awards had also been given for quality and excellence in the Social Work team.  Currently there was a consultation “Health in your Hands” being carried out with events held across the region.  Comments from the consultation would be considered by the Board in June.  With regard to the Accident and Emergency Department at the Borders General Hospital, although there had been challenges at the beginning of winter recent performance figures had improved with, at the end of April, 97.6% of patients being treated within 4 hours against the national average of 93.1%.  With regard to the national legislation around Health and  Social Care integration Ms Manion reported that in the Scottish Borders the Health and Social Care Joint Board went live on 1 April 2016, with a 3 year strategic plan and budget having been agreed in March.  As part of the joint work going forward the Board would be consulting on the work around new GP contracts for joined-up care.

9.2       Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

Galashiels Station Manager, Keith Langley, circulated a report and summarised the main activity with which Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) had been involved in the Eildon area since the last meeting of the Area Forum.  After giving statistics in relation to response and resilience activity Mr Langley highlighted areas of partnership working and prevention and protection activity carried out.  This was key to reducing the number of fires, casualties and losses, thus minimising the economic and social impact of fire on communities.  SFRS staff in all local stations provided home fire safety visits all year round.  All stations were also participating in the British Heart Foundation initiative ‘Call Push Rescue’ and would soon be involved in the Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA) project.  To date over 800 members of the public had taken part in the free CPR training provided by stations.  SFRS were working in partnership with TD1 and Community Learning Development to develop and pilot a diversionary project in Galashiels for youths through the summer holidays.  This would run one day a week, include inputs from partner agencies and would result in a recognised award for participants. SFRS Safeguarding Policy and Procedure for Protection of Children and Adults at Risk of Harm was implemented to link into adult and child protection. The policy had created closer ties with Social Services and ensured that those people and families that fire crews identified as at risk were brought to the attention of Social Services.  As summer approached SFRS would focus activities in the areas of country and outdoor safety, fire related anti-social behaviour, holiday safety and derelict property.  The report concluded with reference to the Retained Duty System (RDS).  A national recruitment campaign was on-going for RDS firefighters at identified stations within the Scottish Borders.  A local initiative, in partnership with Radio Borders, included acknowledgement to local employers for release of employees to serve their local community.

9.3       Police Scotland

Inspector Mike Bennett was in attendance to give a report on activity within the Police Scotland Multi Member Ward Plans for Galashiels and District, Selkirkshire and Leaderdale and Melrose.  Copies of the report were circulated at the meeting.  Inspector Bennett summarised the ongoing work of Police Scotland, along with partners, to focus on the greatest concerns identified by local residents. With regard to reducing violent crime Police continued to target patrols in areas where violent crime had been reported.  Work to focus on inconsiderate driver behaviour had included community officers being trained in the use of speed guns. Young driver education events had also been held to encourage safer and responsible driving.  Inspector Bennett went on to give some statistics in relation to the number of fixed penalty tickets issued for various traffic offences.  With regard to parking he referred to the concern raised at the last Area Forum meeting about parking in Selkirk.  During March and April in Selkirk there had been 19 parking tickets issued for various offences and 19 warnings were administered where drivers were moved on.  On Saturday 2 April 2016 a number of Members of the Scottish Borders Licensing Board, Licensing Forum and Licensing Standards Officers joined PC Lackenby, PC Robertson and Inspector Bennett, conducting checks on licensed premises in the Scottish Borders.  This culminated in a visit to Galashiels at 3 am to observe dispersal from local nightclubs.  Councillors Herd and White, who had taken part, commented that the late night visits had been very useful and complemented the police for their professional role and the way situations had been handled.  In response to a question about the role of Street Pastors, Inspector Bennett confirmed that Police Scotland had a very positive view about the value of Street Pastors in their provision of support to vulnerable people.  Inspector Bennett concluded his report by referring to Police Scotland’s public consultation process.  In the past this had been by hard copy consultation questionnaires.  This year the consultation process was moving online to a digital format and consultation would be open all year.  He urged people to take part in the consultation, stressing that Police Scotland needed opinions from the public to inform policing and to identify priorities.  Everyone’s view across Scotland would be taken on board at national and local level.  This was a vital tool for residents to be able to shape the way their public services should operate.

DECISION

NOTED the updates.