Agenda and minutes

To receive disclosures of personal interest from Members in accordance with the Code of Conduct

Note:

1.     Members are requested to identify the item number and subject matter that their interest relates to and signify the nature of the personal interest: and

2.   Where Members withdraw from a meeting as a consequence of the disclosure of a prejudicial interest they must notify the Chairman when they leave.

In accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct, there were no declarations made pertaining to the agenda.

To receive the minutes of the previous meeting of the Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee which was held on 8^th December 2020.

It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the 8^th December 2020 as an accurate reflection of the meeting.

Information is provided in respect of relevant consultations for consideration by the Committee.

 Members acknowledged the consultation links which were provided for their information and RESOLVED to note any consultations that are relevant to the remit of the Committee.

To consider the report from the Director of Adult Services.

The Director of Adult Services explained to Members that the purpose of the report is to update Members of the Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee with the on-going response to Covid-19 and also to provide Members with a summary of the support offered to adult carers in Rhondda Cynon Taf during the pandemic as requested by Members at a previous meeting.

The Director of Adult Services highlighted to Members that the Covid-19 pandemic has been an unprecedented challenge for all but none more so than the health and social care sector.

The Director continued and reminded Members that at its meetings on the 14^th September 2020 and 8^th December 2020 the Committee received updates in relation to the on-going response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Director explained that the pandemic has meant that Adult Services has needed to implement extensive new national guidance and new ways of working, in partnership with health and social care providers and partners, to ensure the continued delivery of quality care and support services through the pandemic.

The Director of Adult Services explained that on 20^th December 2020 Wales entered Alert Level 4 restrictions in response to the new strain of coronavirus. It was explained that despite these new restrictions Adult Services has continued to work within the statutory duties of the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014, although there continues to be some temporary disruption while we priorities services and modify care and support offers based on assessed needs and risk. It was highlighted that assessments continue to take a person-centre approach as far as practicable, although the focus will be on those with greatest need. Majority of contact with people has had to continue through telephone contact, with face to face contact only be used in critical situations.

It was brought to Members attention workloads remain high and caseloads are becoming increasingly more complex as the current COVID-19 pandemic continues and there is a waiting list of cases awaiting allocation across Care and Support and in the ACE (Occupational Therapy) Team. As a result, additional external support continues to be commissioned to reduce assessment and review backlogs.

The Director continued and provided Members with a COVID-19 update on the areas:

·         Hospital Discharges

·         Care Homes

·         Domiciliary Care

·         Day and Respite Services

·         Vaccination and Testing Programmes

·         Workforce

·         Support providers  

The Director also reminded Members of the Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee that at its meeting on the 8^th December 2020, Members requested further information on the support offered to adult carers in Rhondda Cynon Taf as they were concerned about the extra pressures being placed on families during these unprecedented times.

The Head of Care and Support provided Member with a summary of support offered to adult carers which is attached at appendix 1 of the report, some of the key points are below:

·         The Carers Support Project (CSP) has provided one-to-one telephone support to carers throughout the pandemic and from September all support activities have been delivered virtually. This  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

To reflect on the meeting and actions to be taken forward.

The Chair thanked Members and Officers for their attendance at this evenings meeting and wished them a good evening.