Agenda item

Purpose: To assess the effect of the CHC operations policy and procedures in practise

The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 9) concerning the operation, policy and procedures of the Continuing Healthcare arrangements in West Berkshire.

Nick Carter and Fiona Slevin-Brown, Strategy Director (on behalf of Cathy Winfield – North West Reading CCGChief Officer) introduced the report to Members which detailed the joint progress following the National Health Service (NHS) structural changes introduced in 2013. Nick Carter reminded the Commission that the Council commissioned an independent review into the operations of CHC prior to the structure changes. The review highlighted long Continuing Healthcare assessment waiting times and a need for a more coordinated approach. In response to this an action plan had been created and which was to be frequently monitored to assess the progress of tasks assigned to the PCT/CCGs and the Council respectively.

Nick Carter reminded Members that they received a positive update during the Commission meeting in April 2014. Overall waiting times had decreased and action had been taken to ensure the situation was closely monitored and controlled. Members concluded that suitable progress had been made and a follow-up report would be received 6 months later.

Nick Carter concluded that the report reinforced the positive progress made by the Council and CCGs. He was confident that newly introduced processes mitigated the risk of the situation deteriorating.

Councillor Brain Bedwell asked what measures had been introduced to manage the assessment process as stated in point 3 of the report. Nick Carter advised that roles and procedures for the Council and NHS had been jointly agreed and clarified. Standards had been reviewed and subsequently a multi-disciplinary team had been established to reinforce joint working and interpretation of the assessment criteria. Fiona Slevin-Brown advised that a lot of time and resource had been committed by the CCGs to ensure actions were delivered to address concerns which had been raised.

Councillor Garth Simpson highlighted that there were 6 cases reportedly ‘outstanding’ (a case which had not been concluded within 28 days). The Commission heard that the outstanding cases had been delayed due to missing information which was essential in order to make an informed decision.  Members received reassurance that the number of outstanding cases had decreased significantly and all inherited cases (from the PCT in 2012) had been addressed. In summary, the reason for delayed cases was significantly different to those which had been previously reported.

Councillor Alan Macro stated that the statistics contained within the report reflected the position of the North West Reading CCG only and two CCGs worked within the boundaries of West Berkshire. Rachael Wardell advised the performance report was similar for both areas; however, at present that statistics could not be disegregated.

Councillor Roger Hunneman asked why a decision had been made to reduce the number of advisors in the Council CHC team. Rachael Wardell explained that an additional advisor had been recruited on a contract basis to address the backlog of inherited cases. It was considered from the outset that the number of advisors would reduce when the workload decreased. Rachael Wardell advised that the current number of advisors was sufficient for the identified need within the service.

RESOLVED that the report be agreed.