The Sub-Committee received a presentation from Eugene Jones and Waleed Fawzi East London NHS Foundation Trust (ELFT) and supported by other colleagues who had asked to attend this meeting to outline their proposal to permanently locate the inpatient dementia assessment services at East Ham Care Centre. This was originally moved to free up space in Mile End Hospital to make it more Covid secure and to provide existing dementia residents with a step-up offer. The main points of the discussion on the questions raised by the presentation summarised as follows:

The Sub-Committee:

v  Noted that before the public consultation is launched on the proposals ELFT wanted to check in with Members around their plans and the questions that ELFT were intending to frame around these plans, so as to allow the opportunity to change and reconfigure those as needed before the public consultation commences.

v  Noted that once this consultation is completed ELFT intend to report back to the Sub-Committee.

v  Was advised that the Unit is an in-patient dementia assessment unit for older people living in the boroughs of Tower Hamlets, Newham, Hackney and The City of London.

v  Understood following questions that the Unit provides dementia assessment in the City of London, Hackney, Tower Hamlets and Newham. It is a short-term assessment unit with an average length of stay of six weeks. It provides assessment and treatment for people experiencing complex mental health problems associated with degenerative brain disorders such as dementia.

v  Was informed that each patient receives a thorough assessment of their needs from a wide range of health professionals. Along with input from families the aim is to provide person centred care by building an understanding of a person's life history in order to meet their individual needs.

v  Was pleased to note that in terms of the staff moves to East Ham Care Centre all of the staff that were previously providing the services at Columbia Ward Mile End Hospital would be moved with the patients to the Cazaubon Dementia Assessment Unit.

v  Felt that the passion of the staff around this care group provides is essential in ensuring a continuity of care given their knowledge of the individuals within this group.

v  Observed that in terms of the impact on families, ELFT have had positive feedback from service users and the families and ELFT have also put in place a carers questionnaire to identify specific feedback around the nature of travel and any issues that people have experienced.

v  Was told in response to enquiries that recommended local taxi companies receive vetting in terms of their ability to provide care and support for patients and their families and that ELFT will continue to monitor and to date they have had no negative feedback.

v  Noted that if service users and carers require support in terms of the journey by their own vehicle ELFT can provide support with that and therefore ELFT has a multi-pronged approach which is not just about taxis but about  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6