Agenda item

Mark Adams, Director of Public Heath (South Tees) and Craig Blair, Director of Strategy & Commissioning (Tees Valley CCG) will be in attendance to provide an update on COVID-19 and the local Public Health / NHS response.

The Chair advised that as usual an update on COVID-19 was listed as the first main item on today’s agenda and a number of guests were attendance for this item. Guests included the Director of Public Heath (South Tees), the Director of Commissioning, Strategy and Delivery (TVCCG) and the Medical Director (TVCCG). 

The Director of Public Health advised that Middlesbrough’s rolling 7 day rate (9 – 15 January 2021) was 453 per 100,000 population, which was a 21.5 per cent reduction on the previous rolling 7 day rate (2 – 8 January 2021) of 604 per 100,000. The most worrying slide was the NHS data, which detailed the number of COVID patients currently in hospital in South Tees. The number had doubled in the previous two weeks and there were currently 220 inpatients with COVID at the moment. The panel was advised that at present the Director of Public Health did not have any up to date figures on the vaccination, although he understood that over half of the over 80’s in Middlesbrough had been vaccinated.

A number of queries were raised and the following points were made:-

·         There were concerns that the COVID rates were again increasing and what potential impact this may have on hospital numbers. South Tees NHS Foundation Trust were rapidly approaching 50 per cent occupancy of COVID patients.

·         It was not felt that the return of children to school was a contributory factor in the increase in the number of cases.

·         By 24 January 2021 all Care Home staff and residents should have received their COVID vaccine. Over 2,500 staff had received their vaccinations to date.  

·         Local pharmacies were not currently delivering the vaccine but excellent progress was being made in respect of vaccinating the priority groups.

·         All priority groups were being contacted by their GPs and confirmation would be sought that braille correspondence was being used where necessary.

·         Positive comments were reported in respect of the way in which GP’s had carried out the flu vaccine this year and it was acknowledged that the take up rate had been fantastic.

COVID Oximetry @ Home

The Medical Director at TVCCG advised that agreement had been reached between health and social care partners to contribute additional funding to the programme. In terms of the virtual ward the provision was focused on two cohorts namely those over 65 that had been in hospital or diagnosed with COVID and those under 65 that had a COVID diagnosis and were clinically vulnerable. At the moment the virtual ward could manage up to 120 patients at any one time. There were 108 patients on the ward. Alongside the Oximetry @ Home service there was also an oximetry ward at James Cook University Hospital and 68 patients were currently being managed through that service, together both of these services were helping to keep people at home.

A number of queries were raised and the following points were made:-

·         In terms of any progress on national spray versions of the vaccines further information would be sought. Currently from a local NHS perspective TVCCG was delivering the vaccine in its current format.   

·         It was anticipated that South Tees NHS Foundation Trust would reach surge capacity later that week and if pressures became too intense there may be a need to stand down certain services. A national agreement had been reached that independent hospitals could be used for priority surgeries and TVCCG was working closely with Ramsey and the Nuffield. However, it was important to note that often the same staff groups were being used and although independent hospitals provided additional physical capacity including theatre capacity it did not necessarily come with additional workforce.

·         South Tees NHS Foundation Trust was managing the COVID surge, the winter surge and key pressures around critical care capacity by repurposing staff. However, the elected programme had been significantly scaled back. The majority of routine outpatient appointments and diagnostic appointments had been delivered virtually.  

·         Clarification was needed as to whether lunch was still being provided to staff at the Trust. Members expressed the view that this was least staff should be provided with to help ensure they were well cared for and supported.

·         South Tees NHS Foundation Trust had not spent a significant amount of time harvesting blood plasma and therefore concerns raised recently regarding the efficacy of plasma therapy were not considered to be of real concern. However, a formal response from the relevant clinicians would be sought.   

·         Numerous innovations had been undertaken to ensure staff at the acute Trust were well supported including the provision of mental health support by TEWV. It was noted that the acute Trust was beginning to see some impact and sickness levels had increased to 6 to 7 per cent.

·         It was acknowledged that COVID will be with us for a number of years and there was a need for routine treatments to continue to be provided. The vaccination of those in the priority categories would significantly reduce mortality, however by August / September more consideration would need to be given to what action would be needed to maintain the benefits of the vaccine i.e. how regularly would booster jabs be needed?

·         From Easter / late spring the harm caused by COVID would diminish, although many of the other measures including the wearing of face masks, social distancing and use of hand sanitiser would continue.

AGREED that the information presented be noted.