2022

Noted (AI summary) The Secretary of State calls on social housing providers to treat damp and mould seriously, meet the Decent Homes Standard, and self-refer to the Regulator of Social Housing if in breach of standards. They also highlight the upcoming Social Housing Regulation Bill to hold landlords accountable. The Secretary of State requests local authorities prioritize improving housing conditions for private and social tenants, focusing on damp and mould. They request information on the number of properties with damp and mould and how enforcement of housing standards is being prioritized. The Secretary of State asks legal representatives to direct social housing tenants with concerns about housing to the Social Housing Ombudsman, highlighting recent changes making it easier to access the Ombudsman. The government outlines actions taken to address damp and mould in social housing, including issuing guidance to landlords, suspending funding to Rochdale Boroughwide Housing, and awarding funding to areas with poor privately rented homes. They also highlight the Social Housing Regulation Bill to hold landlords accountable.

Noted (AI summary) NHS England has commissioned a review of HTM 04-01 by Dr Susanne Surman-Lee, specifically related to immunosuppressed patients and NTM, including identifying any specific measures required for new hospital premises, and a gap analysis between British Standard BS 8580-2:2022. They aim to publish a technical bulletin with any amendments by Spring. The Department of Health and Social Care acknowledges the concerns and states that NHS England is the correct organisation to respond, noting that NHSE already sent a response on Feb 6, 2023.

Noted (AI summary) Cardiff and Vale University Health Board reviewed the patient's triage and management by the Out of Hours GP Service, sharing their initial findings. The board acknowledges that there was poor communication at the inquest hearing which may have led to some of the recommendations. The Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust acknowledges the concerns raised regarding triage and response times and the impact of system pressures. The Trust says it will continue to press for real systemic change at every opportunity.

Noted (AI summary) The Department of Health and Social Care notes the concerns regarding ambulance response times and access to hospital services and says that ambulance performance is reviewed regularly. More broadly the Trust has governance in place to reduce delays outside the 36-hour timeframe to support compliance with NICE guidance

Noted (AI summary) ENA has asked each DNO and TNO member company to check that emergency services have contact details and know how to respond to incidents; ENA will open dialogue with the HSE to see whether it can support them to further enhance awareness and will review and update its safety leaflet - Safety advice for the Emergency Services. NHS Digital explains the function and governance of NHS Pathways, noting that standard operating procedures and contact numbers are the remit of local service providers and do not fall under NHS Pathways' responsibility. AACE shared South Central Ambulance Service NHS Trust's updated SOPs, including a map and contact details for electricity Distribution Network Operators, across all NHS ambulance services. They are also discussing the matter with all Heads of Emergency Operations Centres. HSE shared concerns with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW), the Association of Police Health and Safety Advisors (APHSA), the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) and the National Fire Chiefs Council Health and Safety Committee, and the Energy Networks Association (ENA), who have requested that DNOs and TNOs check their arrangements with the emergency services on an annual basis; the ENA is currently reviewing their information leaflet on Safety Advice for the Emergency Services.

Noted (AI summary) West Midlands Police restructured the Public Protection Department in 2019, increasing staff allocated to DA investigation and replacing Domestic Abuse Teams with Adult Investigation and Adult Complex Investigation Teams; they have also established a scrutiny panel with the CPS to review decisions where no further action is taken. West Midlands Police restructured the Public Protection Department in 2019, increasing staff allocated to DA investigation and replacing Domestic Abuse Teams with Adult Investigation and Adult Complex Investigation Teams; they have also established a scrutiny panel with the CPS to review decisions where no further action is taken. The Home Office highlights the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 and the Tackling Domestic Abuse Plan, committing to assist in funding the rollout of Domestic Abuse Matters training and funding the College of Policing to develop a new module aimed at investigators of domestic abuse; they also mention the Police Uplift Programme and additional funding for West Midlands Police. The College of Policing has created a 'DA Matters' training package for police responders focusing on coercive control, delivered by DA charities, and has rolled out the Domestic Abuse Risk Assessment tool (DARA) to every force in England and Wales. West Midlands Police is publishing a revised Domestic Abuse policy with an initial response action checklist and will launch it with a tailored communication and briefing package; they have also created an improvement plan to increase the number of Domestic Violence Protection Notices and Orders. The Police and Crime Commissioner acknowledges the coroner's report and highlights ongoing efforts by West Midlands Police to address domestic abuse, while also noting resource constraints and the impact of cuts to public services.