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 supporting people so they do not incur any financial hardship as a result of visiting Cazaubon.

v  Understood that ELFT are having an ongoing dialog with service users and carers on this matter and comments from the carers questionnaire we will be incorporated into the feedback in terms of understanding the impact of the move on carers specifically (e.g. in terms of the journeys themselves the focus is primarily carers and family members who are going to visit their family members in Cazaubon).

v  Welcomed the significant program of capital investment within Casaubon to enhance the area (e.g. improve the outside space and garden area to make it more wheelchair friendly and accessible for all and around creating specific clinical space outside of the Unit for people to be isolated away from other patients to prevent cross contamination or infection).

v  Noted that patients when they are admitted have to be screened for Covid, so as to allow patients to go directly onto the Ward. However, whilst they are waiting for the test results, which can take a few hours and they need to be isolated from other patients. Hence the need for the provision of an isolation area for any new admissions.

v  Understood that whilst the Unit encourages visitations due to Covid these have had to be curtailed by the restrictions on hospital visits. Although during the pandemic the Unit has adapted its arrangements for contact with friends and family through the digital and technological roots through laptops and arrangements like that so families could still stay in contact with their families’ members.

v  Following questions raised observed that in regard to the carbon emissions ELFT aims to support where carbon neutral.travel.

v  Noted that ELFT have engaged with Healthwatch to provide support and they have been to visit the Unit and have spoken to service users, carers, and staff. It was noted that all have been complimentary of the service.

v  Noted that the Care Quality Commission (CQC) the independent regulator of health and social care in England had visited the Unit and stated that (i) the staff demonstrated a commitment to the empowerment of the patients by ensuring they were given the appropriate information to understand the different types of support and treatment offered; (ii) the patient was at the heart of the process and had been fully involved in assessment and decision making; and (iii) the staff were accessible and knowledgeable.

v  Observed that any consultation material about the Units move needed to be clear, succinct, and easy to understand so as to avoid misunderstandings. It was felt that this was particularly important when the consultation material is about the co-location of medical services.

v  Stated that it wished to undertake a visit to the Unit at the earliest opportunity and wanted to receive the feedback from service users; carers and Healthwatch specifically around travel to help inform future discussions.

In conclusion the Sub-Committee having noted and commented the plans and proposed approach with the public consultation RESOLVED that:

1. It wished to undertake a visit to the Unit at the earliest opportunity and receive the feedback from service users; carers and Healthwatch specifically around travel to help inform future discussions.