May 2012

Health and Social Network

With the Health and Social Care Act eventually passing into law just recently, we now know for definite that Cornwall and Isles of Scilly PCT will be wound up at the end of March 2013. Its responsibilities for strategic planning to meet the health needs and demands of the people of Cornwall, and the spending of the NHS budget allocated to the county, will pass to the Kernow Clinical Commissioning Group which is GP-led. 2012/13 will be a transitional year. It is expected that the PCT will hold public meetings along with KCCG during 2012 to explain the changes. This should be of interest to STC.

A sub-group for East Cornwall has been created by KCCG, and the well-established Saltash and District Health and Wellbeing Strategy Group will now report direct to it. The Network created by Gateway CIC last year will be able to collect public views and feed them direct into this new system in two main ways:

• By regular dialogue- which we know will be welcomed, and
• By 3 Network representatives being full members of the Strategy Group

A new draft strategy for Saltash and District is being presented to the Strategy Group on May 3, and it is expected that there will be formal public consultation about this organised via the Network. This will include consideration of how to develop the role of St Barnabas, upon which members of the Network will be presenting ideas also on May 3.

This is a very satisfactory position for public engagement in the work of the NHS and care services, probably the envy of almost all other towns in Cornwall which have nothing like it. The Network is maintained by a coordinator who is paid on a casual basis from funds originally allocated by STC and a private donor, and managed by Gateway CIC. It may be necessary to seek a little more financial support for this work during the course of the year.

Community Transport Project

The bus is fully compliant with all the requirements for its use.

Drivers :

To date, 18 drivers have volunteered and of them, 13 have completed the required checks and training.

Routes and Services :

1)            32 local parish clerks and councillors have been circulated with details of the bus and invited to suggest services & routes.

Flyers were distributed by Tony Parry to attendees at the CGCNA meeting of April 4^th.

2)            Saltash Health Centre, Port View Surgery & St. Barnabas Hospital have been invited to suggest how the project can add value to local NHS services.

3)         Provisional shuttle service bookings have been made for :

• May Fair               ( May 5^th )
• Olympic Torch   ( May 19^th )
• Live at Home      ( July 17^th )

Income & expenditure :

         1)Basic per diem costs have been calculated and will be updated as more experience is gained.

2) The Community Transport Project has been awarded £470 – 40, by the Caradon Area      Community Fund.

Corporate manslaughter :

Cover for potential manslaughter charges, when the minibus itself is involved in an incident, is covered by the minibus insurance.

If a volunteer driver is involved in an incident when using his or her own vehicle, then that vehicle’s insurance should provide cover.

A standard letter to insurers will be offered to all drivers if they are unsure of their individual cover.

SALTASH CARD

Saltash Card sales continue in a steady manner. Liaison in progress, with STIG team on Town Centre Promotion.

Current Financial Position

There has been very little movement in the accounts over the last month. The financial situation is stable.

We expect that Community Transport will soon become much busier, in terms of both income and expenditure

Main Account £2126.

Community Transport Account £4322.

Deposit Account £19082.

Liam Bradley CIC Chairman

Projects such as the Saltash Card demonstrate how we can attract outside funding to the area and deliver a practical idea to benefit both residents and traders alike. Other projects involve more behind the scenes work such as public consultations, researching the potential for new schemes of work, brokering contacts and initiating partnerships. Most recently we have been actively supporting the work relating to the town centre regeneration, researching the potential for a community transport scheme and developing links with local health and social care services in order to put forward the views of local people. The CIC works closely with Saltash Town Council and Cornwall Council. Our aim is to initiate, support and where appropriate deliver projects that meet the long-term vision of making the Saltash Gateway area an even better place to live, work and visit.

If you would like to be involved, or to comment on our work, please do not hesitate to contact us.

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