NATIONAL CARE STANDARDS COMMITTEE MEETING
Rosebery House, Edinburgh, Monday 13 January 2003
Note of the Meeting
Present: Adam Rennie (Chair), Janie Allen, Pek Yeong Berry, Lorraine Briggs, Doreen Campbell, Pat Dawson, Sally Evans, Jaqueline Hughes, Violet Jardine, Janet Law, Mary McCann, Jim McDonald, John McKenzie, Gordon Masterton, Janis Pelosi, Jacquie Roberts, Frances Smith, David Whiteoak, Marjory Barquist.
1. Apologies
Apologies were received from: Val Cox, Linda Gregson, Robert Houtman, John Rodgers, and Carole Wilkinson
2. Welcome
Adam Rennie welcomed everyone to the fourth meeting of the NCSC.
3. Note of Last Meeting and Matters Arising
3.1 There were no specific action points from the last meeting. The draft standards for the specialist clinics were amended to reflect the changes made by the Committee and, subject to Ministerial agreement, will go out for consultation this month.
3.2 The meeting mentioned in paragraph 4.3 between the Health Department, CSBS (now NHS Quality Improvement Scotland (NHS QIS) ) and the Care Commission took place on 2 December and a further meeting is currently being arranged. The standard in the doctors' and dentists' draft standards which refers to how NHS QIS specific standards will apply to these services, and any subsequent changes to the paragraphs referring to NHS QIS in the introductions, await the outcome of this meeting. Any changes will be brought to the Committee .
3.3 The notes of the last meeting were then agreed.
4. Childcare Agencies Draft Standards Consultation - Update
4.1 It was confirmed that the childcare agencies draft standards went out for consultation on 13 December. The consultation will end on 7 February and some comments have already been received.
4.2 Adam advised that all comments will be collated and a report produced which will go to the childcare agencies working group for consideration. It is unlikely that the standards will be ready for consideration by the NCSC again in time for its next meeting in February.
5 Wholly private dental practices draft standards (Paper 1)
5.1 Jim McDonald, chair of the dentists' working group was invited to introduce the draft standards for wholly private dental practices. Jim advised that there are not many wholly private dental practices in Scotland. He confirmed that the General Dental Council (GDC) is currently developing a complaints procedure for private dental patients. Presently the users of private dental services have no mechanism for complaining about private dentistry unless the complaint is about a dentist's professional conduct.. There had been liaison between the working group and the GDC during the development of the standards. The draft standards had also been sent to patients of wholly private dental practices and their input helped inform the current draft.
5.2 Jim took the Committee through the document and there was detailed discussion. A number of changes were agreed including the addition of a standard specifically for children. Standard 17 of the draft standards for medical practices could possibly be adapted. The working group will meet again after the SE/NHS QIS/Care Commission meeting when it will consider the changes and do any redrafting
5.3 Pat Dawson raised concerns about the stated principles on which the standards are based. She noted that the emphasis is different for the independent healthcare sector, there are healthcare principles and consumer principles that apply. Pat also stated that the RCN considered that there should be separate standards' documents for children.
5.4 Following discussion it was agreed by the Committee that the principles, and whether anything needs to be done with them, should be considered as part of the review of the standards.
5.5 The Committee also raised , discussed and agreed that the sections which are common across many or all of the standards, such as 'staffing' and 'information held about you', should be considered at the review with a view to considering whether these sections could be standardised.
6 Wholly private medical practices draft standards (Paper 2)
6.1 The Committee considered the changes which had been made to the standards following the last meeting. Some further amendments were agreed.
6.2 There was discussion about whether it was necessary to include the mental healthcare standard. In-patients in private psychiatric hospitals are covered by the independent hospital standards. The private medical practices standards will cover those attending private practices as day patients. Frances Smith expressed reservations about the wording of the mental healthcare standard, particularly with regard to detaining under the mental health legislation. She pointed out that NHS QIS has standards for schizophrenia and is developing generic mental healthcare standards which should be referenced if a mental healthcare standard is retained. Some members favoured removing the standard altogether whilst others felt that mental health patients are a vulnerable group and should have a separate standard. The Committee agreed that the standard should be discussed with the Health Department psychiatrists
6.3 Pat asked whether there should be reference made in the standards to maternity services. It was agreed that a check would be made of the existing guidance and this would be included in the appropriate annex of the draft standards.
6.4 The Committee agreed that both the dentists' and the doctors' draft standards should be seen by the Committee once all the redrafting and amendments have been made.
7 AOCB
There was no other business.
8 Date of Next Meeting
8.1 The next meeting will be held on Monday 24 February 2003 in Victoria Quay from 10:30am to 3:00pm . A buffet lunch will be provided.
8.2 Meetings have also been scheduled for 31 March and 28 April. The meeting scheduled for 26 May will have to be rearranged as this date is a public holiday for the Scottish Executive. Members will be advised as soon as possible of the new date.