Agenda item - FORMAL MEMBER INVOLVEMENT

36.1    The Chair invited Graham Bartlett to ask his question:

 “Universal Credit is set to be rolled out across the city shortly. As Chair of the   Safeguarding Adults Board I am particularly concerned about those adults with care and support needs who may need additional help to deal with these changes. The Safeguarding Board were briefed  and whilst there is some assurance that adults with care and support needs will be helped during this time, there remain concerns about the changes and potential safeguarding risks arising from this.  We are committed to sharing our concerns with the Health and Wellbeing Board and ask if the Board feel that the city is ready to deal with these changes, especially for the most vulnerable.”

36.2    The Chair thanked Mr Bartlett for his question and responded: “Universal Credit is already being rolled out across the city.  A comprehensive report went to the Neighbourhoods, Inclusion, Communities and Equalities Committee on 9 October. The link to the report can be found here. https://present.brighton-hove.gov.uk/Published/C00000968/M00006936/AI00060743/$20170927170556_014014_0051991_CommitteeReportTemplate210617newsavedformat.docxA.ps.pdf

36.3    “For those who are unaware UC is a national policy change in the way benefits for working age people are claimed, administered and paid. UC combines six existing benefits, Housing Benefit (which is currently administered by The Council), Working and Child Tax Credits, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment Support Allowance and Income Support. This will be administered centrally by the Department for Work and Pensions and once fully rolled out more than an estimated 7 million households will be receiving UC across the country. This includes around 20,000 households in Brighton & Hove.

36.4    “A detailed booklet aimed at professions helping claimants was part of the report and can be found here:

https://present.brighton-hove.gov.uk/Published/C00000968/M00006936/AI00060743/$20170927170557_014343_0051993_6245UniversalCreditguideforprofessionalsV21draft.pdfA.ps.pdf

36.5    “The report highlighted the cross service working and service readiness action that had been put in place to try and help people affected by the changes and there were details about the additional actions adult social care and childrens services were undertaking.

Support for vulnerable cohorts.

36.6    A risk analysis identified a number of cohorts of people who may be at particular risk in trying to maintain UC claims. They include rough sleepers, people affected by domestic violence, people with mental health issues, and people with substance misuse issues. An issue has also been identified with people who struggle to attend Work Capability Assessments in Lewes which is leading in some cases to benefits being stopped. Work is in place to provide support to these cohorts, including working with the local Jobcentre Plus so with appropriate permissions from the claimant information can be shared between organisations to make sure appropriate support is in place.

36.7    In answer to the question is the city ready – the city, and by this we include all bodies especially our community and voluntary sector agencies, are working together, have prepared but does not underestimate the challenges that all organisations will face in trying to deal with introduction of Universal Credit. However the biggest challenge will be borne by the most vulnerable claimants.

36.8    One area of concern is people will be unable to get free prescriptions during the claiming and waiting period and the impact on their health and wellbeing during the assessment to decision process?  Following extensive research we can confirm that once a person has made a claim for Universal Credit and it is confirmed they are entitled they are able to access free prescriptions, they don’t have to wait for the actual payment to come through.

36.9    If a person has a lot of difficulty establishing their Universal Credit claim and hence whether they are entitled to free prescriptions they can apply to the NHS low income scheme https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-low-income-scheme. In a situation where a person with no other means is waiting to establish their Universal Credit claim they can apply for this which should give them access to free prescriptions. We have been working with welfare advice bodies to make sure this is understood.

36.10  The Neighbourhoods, Inclusion, Communities & Equalities committee will continue to monitor the roll out and the impact.”

36.11  Mr Bartlett thanked the Chair for his response and stated that the roll out of universal credit was a concern across the Local Safeguarding Adults Board and he would continue to relay these concerns to the Health & Wellbeing board.

36.12  The Chair read David Liley’s question out as Mr Liley was not in attendance:

 “Doctors of the World have recently produced a briefing which in summary states:  

            ‘The Government has made new regulations extending NHS charges to community healthcare services and placing a legal requirement for all hospital departments and all community health services to check every patient’s paperwork, and charge upfront for healthcare, refusing non-urgent care where a patient cannot pay. Healthcare charges may be introduced for services provided by all community health organisations in England except GP surgeries. Organisations receiving NHS funding will also be legally required to make similar checks and possibly charge for services. A wide range of health services could be affected.’

            Can the HWB give some clarity on which services locally will now be under these regulations and how these issues will impact on local residents?”

36.13  The Chair thanked Mr Liley for submitting his question and responded: “The Doctors of the World statement is reporting on the  recent amendments made to the National Health Service (Charges to Overseas Visitors) which provide for the making and recovery of charges for relevant services provided under the National Health Service Act 2006.  In line with the guidance the Health and Well-being can confirm exempt services include accident and emergency services, family planning services; diagnosis and treatment of specified infectious diseases and sexually transmitted infections; palliative care services; treatment required for a physical or mental condition caused by: torture; female genital mutilation; domestic violence; or sexual violence.

36.14  Exempt categories of person include vulnerable patients and those detained this includes refugees and their dependents; asylum seekers and their dependents; victims, and suspected victims, of modern slavery.

36.15  The Public Health and Community Safety team are also in the process of finishing the International Migrant Needs Assessment, which was supported by the HWB. The steering group includes the Council, NHS, community and voluntary sector and academic representatives.  

36.16  Although the needs assessment will not be published until early 2018 it is clear there will be recommendations coming from the assessment. These recommendations will come to the Board in January or March.”