NATIONAL CARE STANDARDS COMMITTEE MEETING
Rosebery House, Edinburgh, Wednesday 30 October 2002
Note of the Meeting
Present: Adam Rennie (Chair), Janie Allen, Pek Yeong Berry, Lorraine Briggs, Val Cox, Margaret Davidson, Sally Evans, Linda Gregson, Robert Houtman, Jaqueline Hughes, Janet Law (for Irene Audain), Gordon Masterton, Janis Pelosi, Jacquie Roberts, John Rogers, Carole Wilkinson, Rab Mowatt (committee secretary).
1. Apologies
1.1 Apologies were received from: Doreen Campbell, Chrissie Carmouche, Pat Dawson, Theresa Fyffe, Harry Garland, John MacKenzie, Mary McCann, Jim McDonald, Andy Smith, Francis Smith, Margaret Watt.
1.2 Scottish Consumer Council and Children in Scotland were unable to provide a representative so Scottish Out of School Care Network had been invited to join (normally will be Irene Audain but Janet Law for this meeting). Still trying to get a Cosmetic Surgery representative.
2. Welcome and Introductions
2.1 Adam Rennie welcomed everyone to the second meeting of the NCSC. As there were some new members and others who had not been able to attend the first meeting, introductions were done.
2.2 Adam reminded members that the current NCSC membership reflects the immediate task of clearing the remaining 4 sets of standards. He asked them to bear in mind that there will be scope to increase/reduce membership as tasks evolve. A revised membership list was handed out.
3. Note of Last Meeting and Matters Arising
3.1 It was agreed that at paragraph 4.7 'delay' be replaced by 'affect'. The minutes of the previous meeting were then agreed.
3.2 Item 2.3 - Both SIHA and CSBS had been invited to nominate representatives. CSBS had nominated Francis Smith. SIHA Chair, Gordon Masterton, had been on leave so their nomination was still awaited.
3.3 Item 3.5 - The terms of reference had been revised and issued to all members.
3.4 Items 4.7 and 4.11 - A revised workplan with amended meeting dates had been issued to all members.
3.5 Item 5.3 - Actioned.
3.6 Item 5.6 - Awaiting clarification from Solicitors Office on bullet point 4.
3.7 Item 6.1 - Violet had agreed to attend today's meeting.
3.8 Item 7 - Actioned.
4. Revised Terms of Reference (Paper 1)
4.1 The terms of reference had been revised to take account of comments made at last meeting and issued to members. These were agreed.
4.2 It was agreed that in considering the review process it would be important that the Commission provide feedback on delivery of the standards to the Committee.
5 Presentation by Violet Jardine
5.1 Adam introduced Violet Jardine to the Committee. Violet is a Public Relations Consultant who worked with the previous NCSC and assisted them in the editing of the 19 sets of care standards that have already been published. Adam advised that her involvement again would ensure that the remaining 4 sets of standards would be produced in the same language, style and format as the previous 19.
5.2 Violet outlined her background and her involvement in developing the existing 19 sets of standards.
5.3 In the subsequent discussion, it was agreed that the "you" approach and the six main principles were a given and that both should be applied to the remaining 4 sets of Standards. It was also agreed that, as previously, the standards would be submitted to the plain English campaign. The Committee were content for this work to be taken forward by Violet in consultation with the sponsorship division and others as appropriate.
6 Childcare Agencies Standards - Draft 5 (Paper 2)
6.1 Adam reminded members that it is the Executive's intention to commence the regulation of Childcare Agencies by the Commission from April 2003 (2 or 3 services had already registered). He then introduced Janie Allen and asked her to go through the draft.
6.2 Janie advised that the comments and suggestions made at the previous NCSC meeting had been debated and discussed at the last Childcare Agencies group meeting. The working group had taken on board most of the comments and suggestions that had been made at the previous meeting. Where they had not been, Janie explained the discussion that had taken place in the group and the reasons supporting their decisions.
6.3 The Committee discussed the standards in detail and agreed a number of changes. It was not felt that any of the suggested changes needed to be referred back to the working group.
6.4 The Committee agreed that Janie should now work with Violet and the sponsorship division to "polish up" the draft standards. Once this work was completed, Draft 6 would be circulated to all members. Subject to the agreed changes being made, the Committee agreed that this draft be submitted to Scottish Ministers for consultation approval without further recourse to the Committee.
7. AOCB
7.1 Gordon Masterton advised that the standards for Wholly Private Medical Practices might be brought to the NCSC later than originally expected. The working group had arranged a further meeting to finalise their draft on 5 November and would then submit it to the Independent Healthcare Panel on 25 November for discussion and approval. This was only 4 days before the next NCSC meeting. Rab would attempt to get the final draft (if approved by the IHP) out to members before the next meeting.
7.2 The Committee agreed the revised workplan, which included the changes agreed to the dates of the meetings in 2003.
7.3 Robert Houtman outlined a number of problems that were arising with the standards in England. He said that very few private practices were registering under the Act in England. Adam advised that the NCSC remit did not extend to legislation. It was agreed that Robert would put his specific points in writing to Adam as the Chair of the Committee in the first instance. The Care Commission had an obvious interest in the position in England and Adam agreed to share Robert's concerns with them.
7.4 Gordon advised that the healthcare private sector had been closely involved with the Commission regarding inspection methologies.
8. Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on Friday 29 November in Rosebery House from 10:30am to 3:00pm . This meeting will concentrate on the approval of the 3 sets of independent healthcare draft standards for submission to the Scottish Ministers. A buffet lunch will be provided.