Update on consultation on changes to intermediate care services across Barking & Dagenham, Havering and Redbridge.
Minutes:
The consultation on changes to intermediate care services had been discussed in each of the affected boroughs – Barking & Dagenham, Havering and Redbridge. Meetings had taken place with overview and scrutiny committees, health and wellbeing boards and patient and community groups. The consultation had in fact been extended by a period of two weeks and was due to close on 15 October. There had been approximately 300 responses to the consultation to date.
Officers felt that the consultation was clear that the number of rehabilitation beds was reducing as many of these services could now be provided in people’s homes. Approximately 9,000 people had been treated under the new model, compared to 1,000 if the bed base only model had been used. The new services (community treatment team and intensive rehabilitation service) had also received good feedback from patients.
Members from Redbridge welcomed there being more services available at home but were disappointed that much of the consultation had taken place over the summer period. Redbridge had also previously asked for the consultation period to be extended. There were also concerns in Redbridge over the bed modelling system used and Redbridge Members indicated that they were minded to refer the matter to the Secretary of State.
A Member from Waltham Forest reported that a constituent had recently been discharged to the Heronwood & Galleon Unit at the age of 102 and had received a very good service.
It was not certain what the average number of physiotherapy visits per week was but visits could take place up to four times per day. Officers could supply data on the number of patients received daily or four-times daily physiotherapy visits.
It was accepted that staff recruitment was an issue across the health economy but both the Community Treatments Teams and the Intensive Rehabilitation service were currently fully staffed.
The number of beds at Grays Court in Dagenham would be reduced as services were centralised at the King George site. The stroke beds at Grays Court would be retained however as they were not part of the consultation. If the rehabilitation beds were removed from Grays Court, the future use of the building would be considered.
There were performance indicators measured for discharge services and outcomes from rehabilitation services. The reasons why people were admitted to hospital were also considered.
Officers would provide figures on the proportion of step up and step down referrals to the rehabilitation service. The number of step up referrals had reduced in the last year due to the introduction of the Community Treatment Team.
Officers clarified that the Ainsley Rehabilitation Unit was based in Waltham Forest and was not part of this consultation. Only one patient from the affected boroughs had used the unit for intermediate care and this had been requested under their patient choice. The Ainsley Unit was also run by the North East London NHS Foundation Trust.
Officers were aware of the National Audit of Intermediate Care Beds 2013 but felt that the audit had been a snapshot and added that it had not been obligatory for Trusts or CCGs to participate.
The Committee AGREED to keep to the individual borough Health Overview and Scrutiny Responses to the consultation and decided not to submit a response on behalf of the Joint Committee.
A Member’s view was noted that support for those cared for at home should have at least the intensity of support for those cared for in hospital.