The Committee will receive a presentation on the Royal Jubilee Court Assessment Centre.
Minutes:
The Committee received a presentation from the Service Manager for Preventative Services and the Reablement Homecare Manager on the Royal Jubilee Court Assessment Centre (RJC). The Committee were informed that reablement constisted of providing personal care; help with daily living activities and re-learning certain basic skills following an illness or hospitalisation.
The Committee noted that Royal Jubilee Court had 13 self-contained units of reablement accommodation. These units enabled people to be discharged from hospital and stay for a short period of time (usually six weeks) before returning to their own home. Staff at Royal Jubilee Court can explore Telecare and Telehealth type support for the client before they return home. The reablement service was also available remotely within clients own homes, this allowed them to remain living in their own homes. Following reablement at Royal Jubilee Court 73% of clients returned to their own homes, and 35% required no ongoing care support.
The Committee were given two case studies where the reablement service had successful outcomes. Both clients were in their 80s and had returned to their own homes.
From December 2010 to July 2011, a pilot scheme took place between Adult Social Care and St George’s Hospital that saw 5 units dedicated for use by Health. The pilot successfully demonstrated that of the 82 discharges from RJC to home, 36 cases (43%) need no further ongoing care. This pilot had increased joint working via a daily provision of physiotherapy on the site, and provided a cost saving to St Georges as clients were discharged to home quicker.
The Committee noted that the Health and Wellbeing Board had agreed that a number of the empty sheltered housing bedsit units on the first floor of Philip House, at RJC, would be converted into 15 additional reablement units. This would double the capacity for reablement and therapy; contribute towards savings for Health and Social Care, as well as improving the quality of life and maximising the independence of Havering’s residents. The building work was planned to commence in early March 2012, and was estimated to take between six to eight months to complete. This would be completely funding by Health.
Members informed officers that the reablement service was widely publicised and residents were aware of the service provided.
Officers explained that each client came with a Care Plan when they arrive at RJC. Upon arrival, the date of discharge was discussed and agreed together with any actions that needed to be put in place before that date. The clients’ families were kept involved from day one, as reablement did not work without the support of families.
Members asked if there was sufficient capacity for reablement services, given the growing elderly population. Officers explained that there was no waiting list, with the exception of the five beds that Health had over the Christmas period, and stated that since the service had began they had supported 1,200 clients with reablement services at home and 150 clients at the reablement unit at RJC (up to a 6 week period).
The Committee noted that the RJC criteria were ideal for stroke victims, and they worked closely with the stroke liaison nurse. All clients who were referred from hospital could be accommodated within the reablement unit within 24 hours.
Members asked if other sheltered housing units across the borough were being reviewed to accommodate other reablement units. Officers confirmed that they were hoping to expand across the borough, but were also working with Health colleagues both for support and financial contributions.
The Committee were keen to visit the Reablement Unit at RJC, and it was agreed for a suitable date to be arranged.