Agenda item - Winter 2021/22 - Update on how the Local Health & Care System Managed Winter Pressures

Report of the Executive Director, Governance, People & Finance on the success of 2021/22 winter planning (copy atatched).

33.1    This item was introduced by Alistair Hill, Director of Public Health; David Jones, Interim Assistant Director of Operations, HASC; and by Ashley Scarff, CCG Deputy Managing Director.

33.2    Mr Scarff told the committee that winter pressures persist, as does Covid which is having a particular impact on workforce planning. However, the health and care system response to demands this winter has been remarkable. The steps taken to deal with unprecedented levels of demand include:

·         Additional capacity (e.g. community beds)

·         Block contracts for home care

·         Additional support for care home providers

·         A focus on avoiding hospital admissions

·         Enhanced working with CVS partners

·         A focus on communications

·         A focus on ensuring that patients Medically Ready for Discharge do not experience delays in their discharge

·         The opening of an Urgent Treatment Centre at the RSCH

·         An effective flu plan, including an improved vaccination programme.

33.3    Mr Jones added that there has been really strong partnership working between Adult Social Care, Public Health and the NHS. However, workforce pressures are intense, and many workers are really tired. Long-term workforce issues are not easy to address, but can best be approached as a system issue. Home care represents a particular challenge, both nationally and locally. Commissioners have given providers more up-front funding, and this has helped; but the complexity of need in domiciliary care has increased, and recruitment is very difficult, particularly for unsocial hours.

33.4    Cllr West told members that he was extremely frustrated that the information provided in the presentation was not made available in advance of the meeting as it should have been. The Chair agreed, noting that she had made repeated requests for information to be included as an appendix to the report for this item, but had not received the promised text. Mr Scarff noted that officers had wanted to present the most up to date information, but acknowledged the point.

33.5    In response to a question from Cllr Grimshaw on alternatives to A&E, Mr Scarff told members that the Urgent Treatment Centre, advice offered via NHS 111, the GP remote access service, and the walk-in centre had all been deployed to help manage A&E pressures. Cllr Grimshaw further requested information on the breakdown of an average month’s A&E admissions, and Mr Scarff agreed to provide a response in writing.

33.6    In answer to a question from Cllr Grimshaw about vaccination rates in Moulescoomb, Mr Hill agreed to follow up outside the meeting.

33.7    Cllr Brennan and Cllr Grimshaw both raised issues about Access Point. Mr Jones responded explaining that a service redesign was ongoing which would improve the service’s responsiveness to carers. Wait times have decreased recently, but performance is still not acceptable.

33.8    Caroline Ridley told members she was happy that the community and voluntary sector had been praised for its work over the winter. However, there was frustration in the sector that CVS had been approached to help establish a discharge service, and organisations had spent lots of time planning only for the project not to be progressed. Mr Scarff offered to pick this up outside the meeting.

33.9    RESOLVED – that the report be noted.