For a printable copy of these minutes, please email HASConsultation@northyorks.gov.uk
Joint Forums meeting with Richard Webb, NYCC Corporate Director Health & Adult Services
Thursday 6 May 2021 at 2-3.30pm
Online meeting via Zoom
Present: Phil Dodson (SDDF and NYDF Chair), Helen Firth (CDF), Nick Moxon (HDDF), Ruth Middleton (HDDF and HMHSU&CIG), Andrew Newton (HDDF and RDF), Maggie Donnelly (RDF), Jeremy Dunford (RDF), Bridget Hardy (YCRDF), Ian Lawson (YCRDF), Ashley Timson (HMHSU&CIG), John Slaughter (NAOFF), Mark Hamblin (NYDLPB), Christopher Porter (NYLDPB), Karen Murray (KeyRing), Victoria Silver (KeyRing), Richard Webb (NYCC), Ruth Hine (NYCC), Shanna Carrell (NYCC),Claire Canavan (NYCC)
Apologies: Katie Peacock (NYLDPB)
Key to Abbreviations
CDF—Craven Disability Forum
HDDF—Harrogate District Disability Forum
HMHSU&CIG—Harrogate Mental Health Service User and Carer Involvement Group
NAOFF— Northallerton Over Fifties Forum
NYDF—North Yorkshire Disability Forum (NYDF)
NYDLPB—North Yorkshire Learning Disability Partnership Board
RDF—Ripon Disability Forum
SDDF—Selby District Disability Forum
YCRDF—Yorkshire Coast and Ryedale Disability Forum
Phil welcomed people to the meeting and everyone introduced themselves.
Richard began by giving a short update on the current COVID-19 figures, before answering the questions which forum members had put forward.
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Easing of lockdown restrictions |
Christopher, NYLDPB |
We all want to meet up face to face again but some of us are feeling nervous. What is being done in North Yorkshire to keep people safe when all the big events, meetings and activities start up again? |
Response and Discussion |
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Action |
Let’s work together to unlock summer | North Yorkshire County Council |
Ruth, Harrogate District Disability Forum and HMHSU&CIG |
As someone who had been shielding for over a year I find that I am extremely nervous now in crowded environments. Can the county council do anything to encourage businesses to make it safer and easier, perhaps by offering quieter shopping times etc. Ruth added that as a wheelchair user she often cannot use a shop’s one-way system and that this means that she ends up much closer to other customers. She is unsure if quiet shopping hours will continue or for how long NHS volunteers will continue to provide assistance. |
Response and Discussion |
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Actions |
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Ruth, Harrogate District Disability Forum and HMHSU&CIG |
Trying to get around North Yorkshire towns where cafes, pubs etc have spread onto pavements and into outdoor spaces is a near impossibility for those of us in wheelchairs. Trying to make use of blocked lowered kerbs etc makes social distancing near impossible. What can NYCC do to encourage a fairer and more accessible return to ‘normal’? |
Response and Discussion |
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Action |
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COVID-19 Vaccination |
Brenda, Harrogate District Disability Forum |
I feel the organising and dealing with the covid vaccination programme been well organised and I congratulate all involved in this process. On behalf of the Deaf Community we are faced with barriers regards face masks. Feel it would have been helpful if volunteers could have been taught basic BSL sign language as not all Deaf people can speak or read and write. |
Response and Discussion |
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Action |
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Ruth, Harrogate District Disability Forum and HMHSU&CIG
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I wasn’t contacted about my second vaccine. 12 weeks after my first vaccination I attempted to contact someone about this but it proved very difficult. The GP surgery answerphone states they won’t discuss vaccinations and although I spoke to several people at the show ground no one ever came back to me. When my text invite did arrive it gave me a first possible date some days into the future. It was extremely anxiety provoking. Why is it impossible to contact someone if you haven't been contacted? No one appears to take responsibility. |
Response and Discussion |
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Day services, an active role in our communities, Direct Payments and charges for care |
Mark, NYLDPB |
What are day services doing to make sure people with a learning difficulty and autism are safe? Should we wait till we have our second jabs to go back? |
Response and Discussion |
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Katie, NYLDPB |
Reading the latest report from Social Care Future has made me wonder about whether it would be possible for two or more people to pool their direct payments, if they wish, to get more out of them. How can we think creatively about how people can use their direct payments so they can get the most out of them and have access to more opportunities? |
Response and Discussion |
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Actions |
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Katie, NYLDPB |
Friendships, relationships and being part of a community play a vital role in enabling people to lead fulfilling lives and keep safe. How can we encourage providers and support workers to see their role in facilitating, encouraging and enabling people to play an active role in their communities? |
Response and Discussion |
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Action |
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Katie, NYLDPB |
I have heard that some people who have not had access to services because of the pandemic are receiving a letter telling them they need to pay more towards the cost of their care. Is this happening for everyone and how are you ensuring this is being handled appropriately? |
Response and Discussion |
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Action |
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Care homes |
Nick, Harrogate District Disability Forum |
Other households are allowed to meet up in groups of six. Why is this different for care homes and care home residents? If we can get individually risk assessed then it shouldn’t be a problem. |
Response and Discussion |
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Andrew, Harrogate District Disability Forum and Ripon Disability Forum |
Quarantine for 14 days if residents leave a care home is not fair of the government to impose this guidance. What are you doing to respond to government with residents reactions? And consequently change the guidance. |
Response and Discussion |
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Action |
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Access |
Ji, Craven Disability Forum |
Why are we all trying to reinvent the wheel in each locality. I have only been involved for a short time but often wondered why there was no officer assigned to disability/ additional needs issues in each council district. From a mental, physical and social health point of view you would think it would be a loss leader in terms of proactively helping people before they need intervention. |
Emma, Harrogate District Disability Forum |
It is not nice not being able to go out because of accessibility issues in the area we live in and it’s frustrating when things don’t seem to change. What is the council doing to be proactive in improving this? I think you should employ disabled people who have the knowledge and understanding and who live with it day to day. |
Ian, Yorkshire Coast and Ryedale Disability Forum |
Will you please give your opinion regarding the feasibility of the unitary NYCC employing an access & inclusivity officer? An officer promoting the intent of the Equality Act in all aspects of council services would be reassuring to the 120,000 + residents of North Yorkshire living with some form of disability. |
Response and Discussion |
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Action |
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Mental Health and Wellbeing |
Ashley, HMHSU&CIG |
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Response and Discussion |
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Working with NHS partners |
Ripon Disability Forum |
Please could Richard give us his thoughts on the future interface between NHS and social care? |
Response and Discussion |
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Action |
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Andrew, Harrogate District Disability Forum and Ripon Disability Forum |
How do you feel cooperation between NYCC Health and Adult Services and NHS is going? And how has it been affected during the pandemic? If it has been affected, what plans have you made to put back on track? |
Response and Discussion |
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Local Government Reorganisation |
Maggie, Ripon Disability Forum |
Could we ask how any change to the existing NYCC might impact on the support our disability forums might receive? |
Response and Discussion |
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Accessible exercise and recreation |
Ruth, Harrogate District Disability Forum and HMHSU&CIG |
I, like many other people, have been investigating walks nearer home, since the pandemic. There is very limited info, if any, on wheelchair access on established walkways such as the Nidd Greenway. Could this be improved? Looking for accessible health, sport and fitness facilities - national search engines such as wheel power, continue to show 0 inclusive gym/ fitness facilities within the North Yorkshire area - if you take out the several which appear in York. When can we expect this to improve? |
Response and Discussion |
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Actions |
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