Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor L. Roberts.

There were no declarations of prohibited party whips.

The Chair advised that no public questions had been received.

[Note:  Councillor K. Lloyd had earlier declared an interest in this item.]

The Committee received a report providing an update on the work of the West Wales Care Partnership and associated national developments including the publication by Welsh Government of ‘A Healthier Wales: Our Plan for Health and Social Care’. 

In addition to the report the Committee was advised that feedback had not yet been received from Welsh Government with regards to a bid for funding from the national Transformation Fund set up to support delivery of ‘A Healthier Wales’. This was due imminently. If successful, the funding would be time limited and a key challenge would be how to mainstream the initiatives and re-direct resources when the funding period had elapsed.

The following questions / observations were raised on the report:-

·         Asked what period the ‘Activities over the past 6 months’ detailed in the report covered.

Advised that the 6 months was a summary of activities early in the financial year.

·         Following on from a statement made by the Commissioner raising concerns regarding the quality of the advocacy service in Wales, it was asked where was the Partnership with the development of shared service.

Advised that this was a key priority area for the Partnership and that a position statement would be issued shortly in response to the comments made by the Commissioner.  Once issued the statement would be circulated to the Committee.  Ceredigion are leading on the procurement and the Partnership has been working on the service model in conjunction with service providers for over 18 months.  The outcome of the procurement is scheduled to be finalised in September 2019. 

·         Asked what mechanism would be in place to monitor the performance of providers delivering the advocacy service. 

Advised that a performance framework was being co-produced that would measure performance. Significant amount of work has been undertaken with providers and carers on how the service should look. Also, both qualitative and quantitative data would be captured and analysed to ensure that service providers are delivering as specified in the contract.

·         Asked what work had been done with regards to supported living units for people with learning disabilities and mental health problems. 

Advised that Capital funding available through the Integrated Care Fund (ICF) was being sought to enhance provision across the region. Proposals would be informed by a baseline of the current position against the strategic aspiration for enhanced supported living to promote independence and improve outcomes. A comprehensive needs assessment has been undertaken on behalf of the partnership, taking into account legislative requirements and demographics.  Capital funding would allow for investment in existing units and the development of new units.  An update will be provided to the Committee as the work progresses.

·         Hywel Dda Health Board was recently criticised by the Auditor General for their high spend on agency staff.  Asked what was being done to address this issue.

Advised that the Health Board had already managed to reduce agency costs, however attracting people into the sector was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

The Committee considered the Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring Report in relation to the Social Care and Health Service which provided an update on the latest budgetary position as at 31^st October 2018, in respect of the 2018-19 financial year.

The Social Care and Health Service was projecting an overspend of £889K on the revenue budget and a net variance of +£2 against the 2018/19 approved budget.  The variance will be incorporated into future year’s budgets.

The following questions / observations were raised on the report:-

·         Raised concerns about the -£140K variance detailed in Appendix B – Older People – LA Home Care. The appendix notes that the savings was due to vacancies and concerns were raised regarding the pressure this places on existing staff.

Advised that this is due to a combination of timing delay and grant funding impacting recruitment. Recruitment is actively being undertaken for in-house domiciliary care however recruitment of specialist staff is problematic but the workforce development plan should address this. 

·         Asked why in Appendix C there is £889k forecasted variance for October 2018 however this figure was £746 for August 2018.

Advised that this was due to ‘in year notifications’ of funding not being included in the figures yet.

·         Asked what system is in place to make a career path in health more attractive to school leavers.

Advised that one of the objectives of the workforce development plan is to make the sector more attractive to school leavers. It was suggested that Rebecca Jones would be able to report to the Committee on the work that is being done by the Partnership.

·         Asked what had caused the variance between October 2018 forecast of £120K and £21K August 2018 in Mental Health – Group Homes/Supported Living (appendix B).

Advised that this was due to fluctuations for client group needs which is difficult to forecast. Supported living is one area that has contributed to this.  Group Accountant agreed to raise this with the Head of Service who would address the concerns with the Committee.

·         Asked about the on-going vacancies (Appendix D) within the Occupational Therapy service and how this was being addressed.  Stated that the service requires a more streamlined approach. An example is that if a patient is hospitalised for 2 weeks or more then the occupational therapy package is lost and has to be re-applied for.  It was asked that the Head of Service address the Committee regarding this issue.

Acknowledged that there were still issues but work was being undertaken to address. Group Accountant agreed to raise with the Head of Service who would be address the concerns at the next committee.

·         Raised concerns that Blas Myrddin was closed especially as the facility was used as a training venue for people with learning disabilities.  This had been followed by the closure of the on-site catering services at Cartref Cynes and Ty Dyffryn.  Chair stated that the Committee should have been provided with details of the closure prior to the information appearing in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

The Committee considered the list of forthcoming items and agreed that the items should be presented to the next meeting.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on the 17^th December, 2018 be signed as a correct record.