Agenda and minutes

These had been received from Councillor Lee Mason.

There were no declarations of interest although Councillor Steve Wylie pointed out that he would not take part during the discussion of the sign off of the review of advancing the use of technology in Adult Social Care (Telecare and Telehealth) as he had been appeared as a witness in his previous role as Cabinet Member for Housing.

(TAKE IN MINUTES)

RESOLVED that the minutes of 24 June 2013 be agreed as a correct record.

The panel received the final draft of their report and thanked Joanne Wildsmith for the preparation of the extensive document and the Chair wished to thank all the panel members and all the contributors for their involvement.  This would be presented to the Cabinet on 7 October for endorsement. 

RESOLVED that the report be officially signed off for submission to Cabinet.

(Councillor Smith withdrew from the meeting at this point)

The chair introduced Lucy Wingham from Democratic Services who would be giving support to the panel during their next review topic.

The panel members discussed the scoping document and the chair asked the officers present to introduce themselves and how they would be able to participate in this review:

Nigel Baldwin, Accommodation Enabling Manager for Community Housing explained that his teams help provide services when people come out of hospital, not just Telecare, but also disabled facilities grants and adaptations to accommodation.

Alison Croucher, Sheltered Housing Manager explained that the sheltered housing scheme managers were also often involved in both admissions (planned and urgent) and discharges for their residents.  They were aware of occasions when this did not go smoothly and where there could be improvements made for their residents.

Nigel Selley, Housing Management would also feed into the review regarding the wider implications such as properties being kept empty and also regarding disabled adaptations being made to council properties.  He stressed that there was a need to look at how customers were affected not just services.

Tim Hodgetts, Service Manager for Adult Social Care manages the Social Care team based at Queen Alexandra Hospital who work closely with the hospital authorities to deliver timely discharges.  He was aware that the hospitals were themselves preparing their own scoping pathways with regard to discharge.

Claire Budden, Senior Programme Manager from the Integrated Commissioning Unit works jointly for the CCG and the local authority, the ICU is involved in the supply of equipment, support care packages and contracts on behalf of Adult Social Care including domiciliary care and the making of payments. 

It was reported that Adult Social Care had data showing that they were performing very well nationally with regard to low discharge delays.  It was noted that the contracts were not only with private homes to ensure suitable care provision but also for the encouragement of people to go back to their own homes with the necessary support such as domiciliary care.

The panel members asked questions regarding the level of residential care as it was felt this was diminishing as part of the city council's role, with increasing  private sector provision.  In response it was reported that the joint strategic needs assessment (JSNA) modelled the demographic need and for Portsmouth there was a higher provision than demand currently but officers were careful to meet with developers to be proactive in the supply of suitable accommodation. 

The panel would be keen to hear from the customers and patients themselves as well as the officers and the hospital authorities.  Alan Cufley, the Head of Corporate Assets, Business & Standards felt that the scoping document was quite broad to cover all adults and those in the public sector and private sector so all types of accommodation would be examined.  Members asked if patients' partners, who would give them care on discharge, were assessed and in response it was reported that not every discharge would be seen but the Newton Company working with Queen Alexandra Hospital was looking to ensure that full discharge arrangements gave full consideration to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.

A series of dates would need to be set with the panel but it was agreed that their next meeting to start receiving evidence on hospital discharge arrangements should be held on Friday 11 October at 2.00 pm.