Dr Sarah Hayes, Clinical Director and Clare Burns, Project Lead, will present on the stroke rehabilitation service change proposals that are currently the subject of consultation.
Minutes:
The clinical director for the project explained that current stroke services were variable and resulted in a ‘postcode lottery’. There were for example in-patient units at Beech ward, King George Hospital and Grays Court in Dagenham, with different providers, which was a confusing situation for patients. This was a factor explaining why patients in this sector spent longer periods in hospital and had longer recovery times.
Commissioners wished to see a gold standard quality of care across Outer North East London but national standards were not currently being met consistently. There was also not sufficient capacity in the system to meet future demand for stroke services. This demand was likely to rise by around 35% in the future.
A case for change for stroke services had been developed and a workshop held with stakeholders. This had established a preferred option based on improved patient outcomes. This would combine early supported discharge with community rehabilitation services across all three affected boroughs, together with an in-patient unit at King George Hospital. These services would all be supplied by a single provider. It was felt that this model would allow for improved patient outcomes and also allow the best value for money.
There was currently in progress a 12 week consultation period which would include on-line questionnaires and hard copies of documents being available in GP surgeries. There would also be drop-in sessions arranged for each borough and work was also being undertaken with the relevant Healthwatch organisations. The consultation was due to close on 1 April 2016. All responses would be considered and the final decision would be made by the three CCG governing bodies.
The impact of the preferred option on Barking & Dagenham would mean more patients receiving care at home and any in-patients being treated at King George Hospital. The future of the Grays Court facility would be decided in conjunction with London Borough of Barking & Dagenham. The impact on Redbridge would be similar with Wanstead residents receiving support from the Early Supported Discharge service which would provide services such as speech and language therapy and psychotherapy. The new arrangements would operate in a similar way within Havering. It was noted that Redbridge stood to gain the most under the new arrangements, particularly in the Wanstead and Woodford areas.
A representative of Healthwatch Redbridge confirmed that the organisation had been fully involved and had worked on producing an accessible version of the consultation documents. Healthwatch Redbridge was happy with the methods used in the consultation and pre-consultation exercises.
Officers were currently establishing what was considered best practice around staffing levels, bed numbers etc but were confident that sufficient staff could be attracted to make the model function successfully.
It was confirmed that the former Heronwood & Galleon inpatient unit for intermediate care in Wanstead had now closed.
Councillor Pond explained that the Essex Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee had supported the move of first stage stroke treatment from Harlow to Queen’s Hospital. In-patient treatment would also move from Epping to Harlow. Officers admitted that there was some uncertainty around cross-border issues and would check if Essex residents living near the site would be able to use the stroke in-patient beds at King George Hospital. The outcome of this could be reported back to the Essex Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
The Committee AGREED their support for the proposals to change stroke rehabilitation services subject to the outcome of the consultation and confirmation of the situation regarding Essex residents.