Decision details

The Chair welcomed Louise Taylor, Executive Director of Adult Services and Health & Wellbeing; Tony Pounder, Director of Adult Services; County Councillor Graham Gooch, Cabinet Member for Adult Services; and Karen Partington, Chief Executive of Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust.

The report presented to the Committee detailed the number of delayed days that were attributable to social care in respect of interaction between the County Council and Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Trust.

The Committee was informed that in December 2017 a letter had been received from the Secretary of State for Health and the Secretary of State for Local Government confirming to the leader that there had been some improvement in Lancashire's overall performance and as a result of this there would not be a review of the Integrated Better Care Fund monies for 2018/19.

It was reported that the figures around Delayed Transfers of Care (DTOC) had been reviewed and changed over the last few years. Since February 2017, there had been a significant rise in DTOC levels between the Trust and the County Council. Members were informed that the reablement service had been improved across the county and that overall a difference was being made. The number of permanent staff working at weekends had increased enabling improved flow at these times. The Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) had seconded an individual into the Trust to connect teams together and help reduce the number of delays.

On the Home First Scheme, Members enquired about how patients' safety could be assured. It was explained that the right professionals and the right services would be place for patients at home. There was professional input from occupational therapists, nursing staff and social work staff to make sure patients got the level of support they needed when they got home to ensure their safety.

However, recruitment and retention continued to be an issue especially in relation to occupational therapists and physiotherapists. It was the intention of the County Council to set up a social work teaching partnership across children and adult services with the University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN) and Lancaster University. The County Council was also investing in the training of registered managers. The County Council had been relatively successful in recruiting people early on in their careers for these roles. It was suggested that the Committee write to Health Education England to attend a future meeting to explain what they were doing to alleviate the situation. The Committee was informed that Health Education England would be attending the Health Scrutiny Committee's next scheduled meeting on the 5 March 2018.

Resolved: That;

1.  An update on Delayed Transfers of Care, as a whole system be scheduled in 6 months' time; and

2.  The actions taken by the County Council and Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust be accepted and continue to strive for a collaborative approach in reducing delays.