Agenda item

Asesu cynnydd Bwrdd Partneriaeth Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol a Lles Cwm Taf mewn perthynas ag Oedi Wrth Drosglwyddo Gofal ac adolygu gwaith Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol RhCT.

 The Director of Adult Service presented Members with an update on Delayed Transfers of Care (DTOC) performance in Rhondda Cynon Taf.

It was also explained that the report draws Members attention to the plans in place across health and social care for the winter pressures period to ensure continued focus on managing DTOC.

Members were informed that over the 3 year period from 2016/17 to 2018 /19 Rhondda Cynon Taf has seen a steady decline in the number of people experiencing DTOC. The number of patients experiencing a delay has fluctuated, but overall there has been a 29% reduction. It was highlighted that based on the current performance figures we are expecting an increase in the number of delays in 2019/20, in line with the national trend, and in particular patients aged 75 and over.

Members were presented with various graphs which highlighted DTOC performance, along with the main reasons for the delays in particular those begin experienced in 2019/20.

Officers went on to explain that the Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board is required to prepare and publish an annual Winter Pressures and Preparedness Plan in partnership with its local authority partners and the Welsh Ambulance Service Trust.

Rhondda Cynon Taf’s contribution to the plan focuses on the existing arrangements that support the hospital discharge process; primarily Stay Well @Home (SW@H). It was also explained that Rhondda Cynon Taf domiciliary care Support @Home Service also supports discharge and hospital avoidance through a range of targeted community responses.

The Director of  Adult Service continued to explain that in September 2019, in recognition of the ongoing challenges across the health and social care system, the Minister for Health and Social Services agreed a package of £30 million to support delivery of health and social care services across Wales over the remainder of 2019/20, with a particular focus on winter pressures.

It was explained that £17 million of the additional winter pressures funding had been awarded to Regional Partnership Boards (RPB). For Cwm Taf Morgannwg RPB, the allocation is £2.7 million to focus on community based solutions of which £1.3 million had be allocated to Rhondda Cynon Taf to facilitate hospital discharge and prevent admission and provide additional

·         Interim placements;

·         Intermediate care and reablement capacity;

·         Domiciliary care capacity;

·         Social Work assessment capacity at the hospital interface

·         Community occupational therapist capacity.

When concluding the report Officers opened up the meeting for Members questions.

A Member commented on the fact that the population is getting older and the support we are providing people in need of our care and support is excellent however it was concerning that national trends are showing an increasing number of delays.

A Member raised concerns over patients being transferred from District General Hospitals (e.g. Royal Glamorgan) to Community Hospitals (e.g. Ysbyty Cwm Rhondda) and in particular those patients who need nursing care home provision, the Member stated that this can be very difficult especially with there being long waiting times for a nursing home placement . The Member asked why therefore we are closing care homes.

It was explained that Members of the public are reminded that they have until December 20 to take part in the ongoing residential care consultation – and have their say on specific options for the Council’s future provision.

Members were reminded that following Cabinets agreement in September 2019, the Council is now further consulting residents over proposals to modernise residential services for older people in RCT.

The Council is currently consulting residents over proposals to modernise residential care home provision for older people and not nursing care home services.

Officer also explained the current Regional Market Position and reports to Cabinet has identified the need for more nursing care home provision and

in particular dementia nursing care and work was underway Regionally to commission additional capacity with Health and other local authority partners.

The Chair also commented on the work done by the Committee on dementia nursing care beds provision and the issues highlighted around current supply and demand.

Members raised questions in respect of home care services and the increasing high demand to supporting people with more complex packages of care to live at home rather than in a care home. Members questioned the capacity  across  domiciliary care to deal with the  current demand and how are we looking to retain staff with this very important role.

Officers explained that there was pressure on supply and capacity in some areas of the county at “peak call” times and this is being managed across care providers to minimise impact on delays awaiting commencement of care packages. It was also explained that we continue to actively support and work with providers across the sector to build capacity and resilience in the domiciliary care market and support  is provided where possible by the local authority in-house Support @Home Service as a short term measure where there is a lack of capacity in the independent sector.

Member thanked the Officers for the report and after further discussion RESOLVED to:

·         Acknowledge the content of the report;

·         Agreed that the Chair writes to the Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board inviting them to a future meeting of the Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee to discuss Delayed Transfers of Care.