Meeting documents

The Chairman will allow members of the public to ask a question or make a statement about any matter on the agenda for this meeting. These questions may be taken during the meeting, when the relevant agenda item is considered, at the Chairman’s discretion.  

There were two public questions.

Debbie Russell, a registered nurse and member of Unison, asked the following question in relation to Item 5:

The changes proposed by the Somerset Sustainability and Transformation Plan will affect the health and social care services locally.  This is the biggest threat to the future of the NHS that I have seen in my career.  I fully welcome the vision proposed but have grave doubts about how it will be funded.  How is the Committee going to exercise its powers to ensure that these changes undergo appropriate scrutiny and are preceded by full and transparent consultation?

Campbell Main asked the following question during Item 7:

Campbell Main spoke on behalf of adults with autism but without a Learning Disability.  This includes adults with a diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome or high functioning autism.  Mr Main stated that there had previously been a specialist service to help this specific group.  The small, specialist service was set up in December 2004 by Somerset Partnership, prior to the Autism Act 2009. The service was supported by a part time social worker.  Recently, the part time social worker has been transferred to SCC Mental Health teams and was now on sick leave. 

Mr Main expressed concern that the Somerset Autism Strategy covers a huge field and has lost its focus on the specific group of adults with Asperger’s Syndrome.  He asked for this to be reconsidered, along with suggestions made to the Health and Wellbeing Board with regard to the restoration of leadership and resources for both diagnosis and post diagnostic support.