Agenda item

[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 challenging. A regional workforce strategy looks at addressing this problem. It was also stated that the change to the service model would alleviate demand in some service areas.

·         Asked what reassurance could be given regarding ‘a cared for workforce’ as currently there is a high turnover of staff working for agencies or outside bodies who are often on minimum wage.

Advised that commissioning services provide the assurance as minimum of living wage was specified in the service framework and this would be monitored.  A mechanism is in place to monitor complaints, workforce profile and staff surveys.  Advised that the Partnership was currently commissioning an Innovation Forum consisting of statutory, independent and voluntary organisations. The forum would be up and running at the end of the financial year and would be discuss workforce issues. Workers and service user would also be represented on the forum.

·         Statement was made that there is a need to ensure appropriate housing is available to attract single people as well as families to work in the county.  This could be done through the Partnership working with developers and the Authority’s Planning Department.

Advised that the Partnership was aware that this is a challenge and would be appointing a housing representative to the Regional Partnership Board in line with requirements under revised regulations.

·         A question was asked how the Partnership monitored the quality and delivery of care provided by the British Red Cross Home from Hospital Service.

Advised that monitoring was done similarly to domiciliary care. There is a joined up approach with an agreed quality assurance framework and ‘escalated concerns’ protocol.

·         Concerns raised that the outcomes of discharges from hospital not always what they should be.  Care packages not always in place prior to discharge.

Advised that the figures in the report indicate a positive impact but the problem was not yet resolved.  The proactive care model aims to prevent admission and long term stay in hospital.  An overarching outcome framework is to be developed to enable impact of investment and transformation work across the region in relation to such issues.

The Chair thanked the Head of Regional Collaboration for presenting an informative and clear report to the Committee.

RESOLVED

4.1 that the report be received.

4.2 that the Committee recommend the Planning Department collaborates with the Regional Partnership Board to consider the housing requirements of Health Board staff in the LDP. 

4.3 that the Red Cross be invited to provide an update to the Committee on the work they do through the Home from Hospital Service.

4.4 that Julia Wilkinson, Locality Manager be invited to present ‘Carmarthen is Kind’ to the Committee.