NATIONAL CARE STANDARDS COMMITTEE MEETING
Rosebery House, Edinburgh, Friday 29 November 2002
Note of the Meeting
Present: Adam Rennie (Chair), Janie Allen, Pek Yeong Berry, Lorraine Briggs, Doreen Campbell, Chrissie Carmouche, Margaret Davidson, Robert Houtman, Jaqueline Hughes, Violet Jardine, Mary McCann, John McKenzie, Gordon Masterton, Jacquie Roberts, Frances Smith, Marjory Barquist (standing in for Rab Mowatt, committee secretary).
1. Apologies
1.1 Apologies were received from: Irene Audain, Pat Dawson, Linda Gregson, Jim McDonald, Rab Mowatt, Janis Pelosi, Andy Smith, Margaret Watt.
2. Welcome and Introductions
2.1 Adam Rennie welcomed everyone to the third meeting of the NCSC. As there were some new members and others who had not been able to attend the other meetings, introductions were done.
3. Note of Last Meeting and Matters Arising
3.1 Doreen Campbell pointed out that, although noted as absent, she was at the last meeting. The minutes of the previous meeting were then agreed.
3.2 There were no matters arising from the last meeting. The draft standards for childcare agencies had been circulated to members for information.
4. The draft Independent Healthcare standards
4.1 Adam invited Gordon Masterton to give a general introduction to all three of the draft standards before the Committee went on to discuss each draft in turn. Gordon advised that the three groups had expressed themselves in their own way in relation to the content and presentation of the standards. The Independent Healthcare Panel (IHP) had discussed this at its recent meeting and it was felt that the different approaches appropriately reflect the diversity of the services. It was also felt that the standards have the desired commonality and consistency.
4.2 A number of points were raised in relation to the standards generally. These included: cross referencing to the CSBS standards both generally and in relation to mental health specifically; the importance of good communication from service providers; consistency across the standards; and the joint futures agenda.
4.3 Adam advised that a meeting was being held on 2 December between the CSBS, colleagues within the Health Department and Care Commission representatives to discuss issues surrounding the applicability to independent clinics of the agreement previously made with the CSBS on how its standards would be applied to the independent healthcare sector.. .
4.4 In response to a question about the name of the new organisation which will encompass the CSBS, Frances Smith confirmed that from 1st January the organisation will be called NHS Quality Improvement Scotland.
4.5 Adam emphasised that these are draft and not final standards. The consultation exercise will offer the opportunity for wide feedback on the issues raised during discussion, such as consistency and commonality across standards.
5. Specialist Clinics (Paper 1)
5.1 Gordon introduced the draft standards. He advised that the working group was chaired by Frances McGeoch and included representatives from service providers, professionals, such as cosmetic surgeons, and a representative from a consumer group. In addition, the group commissioned Mosaic partnership to get user feedback on specialist clinics services using focus groups, and to write a report of the findings. This report had helped to inform the draft standards.
5.2 Chrissie Carmouche raised concerns that the standards had no reference to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and that the section on children does not accurately reflect the rights of children.. It was agreed that the UN convention should be referenced and that all references to children should be changed to 'children and young people'.
5.3 The Committee discussed the draft standards in detail and agreed a number of changes. These changes will be taken forward by the sponsorship branch in consultation with Gordon and the working group chair and with input from Violet Jardine.
5.4 It was agreed that the draft which is produced following the agreed amendments can be submitted to Scottish Ministers for consultation approval without further recourse to the Committee. This draft should be circulated to the Committee members for information.
6. Wholly private medical practices draft standards (Paper 2)
6.1 Gordon introduced the standards. He explained that both the working group and the IHP had received clarification about the definition of wholly private medical practices. The working group included a GP from a wholly private practice and a representative from a consumer group.
6.2 In response to a question from Doreen, Gordon confirmed it was his understanding that a doctor working in the NHS and doing private work elsewhere from, for example, private consulting rooms, is required to register under the Act and that such services would be covered by the these standards. Lorraine Briggs confirmed that this was the advice given to the Independent Healthcare Panel when they raised the same issue.
6.3 Lorraine also confirmed that the CSBS generic standards had been written across into the draft standards, and the RCGP accreditation scheme had similarly been read across unless the point was viewed as inappropriate for the non NHS sector or was a clinical standard.
6.4 The Committee discussed the draft standards in detail and agreed a number of changes. It was further agreed that the redrafting of the standards would be done and a new draft put before the Committee at the next meeting.
7. Wholly private dental practices (Paper 3)
7.1 Due to time constraints the Committee was unable to consider these draft standards and it was agreed that they should be considered at the next meeting. Before that the standards will be revised in the light of the meeting with CSBS.
7.2 It was felt that the next meeting should be extended to 3pm to allow plenty of time to consider the draft standards.
8. AOCB
There was no other business.
9. Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on Monday 13 January 2003 in Rosebery House from 10:30am to 3:00pm . Confirmation of the date and time will be sent to all members. A buffet lunch will be provided.