TO FOLLOW

Councillor Gulam Kibria Choudhury, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Social Care, and Denise Radley, Corporate Director of Health, Adults and Community, provided reflections and achievements from last year and priorities for municipal year 2023/24.

Councillor Gulam Kibria Choudhury introduced the item and emphasised  a commitment to prioritising health care for the borough. Preparations for the upcoming inspection of the Adult Social Care (ASC) service from the Care Quality Commission are ongoing. Despite  service demands,  officers and partners are committed to providing vulnerable residents with a programme of initiatives to tackle health and wellbeing and the council has prioritised areas to ensure this is achieved.

Denise Radley, Corporate Director for Health, Adults and Community, reflected on the strength-based approach used.  The Directorate achieved the strategic priorities last year without red ratings. The only amber rating received related to the numbers of residents who successfully stopped smoking, which is an ongoing target.

Other notable achievements were the Public Health departments advertising policy and the implementation of health and wellbeing ambassadors supporting 3,000 residents post pandemic. 61 residential nursing home discharges took place, with Tower Hamlets placed in the top quarter for performance. Maintaining close partnership arrangements were critical to last year’s success.

Ms Radley went on to discuss the priorities for 2023/24 which include; the recommissioning of all home care services, bringing the direct payments supports service back in-house. A Housing Care Strategy with a focus on additional supported housing and nursing homes is near finalisation and an enhanced ‘Technology Enabled Care’ offer is currently being drafted. Additionally, a  structured approach to supporting high risk residents with around 8,000 health checks and a ‘Combating Drugs Partnership’ strategy to support residents in a culturally appropriate manner, will be delivered by Public Health and Social Care teams.

Ms Radley lastly touched on the ongoing challenges; the increased pressures on complex care packages and the financial constraints which are negatively impacting the service, as well as the cost of living crisis and pensioner poverty. This is compounded by changes within the NHS and the static nature of ASC reform.

The new Care Quality Commission inspection of ASC services is estimated to commence later this year.

Further to questions from the sub-committee, Denise Radley, Katie O’Driscoll, Director of Adult Social Care and Somen Banerjee, Director of Public Health;

·       Clarified that the strength-based approach focuses on an individual’s strengths and goals and explores the support networks that already exist within people’s families and networks.  Eligible needs and how to meet them can then be identified. This ensures a person-centred, dignified approach including where appropriate reablement, adaptations or assistive technology support. The aim is to support the resident to maintain skills, independence and access to the community.

·       Explained that the current provider for drug treatment Reset, has a specific range of outreach sessions and additional funding has now been made available from the Department of Health, to support culturally appropriate services. A review will take place to simplify avenues to connect both mental and physical health services, enabling borough residents to access support. The sub-committee will be updated on progress.

·       Noted that ASC assessment timescales vary based on the level of urgency, with priority given if safeguarding is a consideration. Straightforward referrals  are  dealt with by community services, with more complex ones requiring specialist care.

·       Clarified that the Technology Enabled Care offer will be strengthened with more choice for residents. The proposal is being discussed with The Mayor and Lead Member and includes technologies such as pagers, bed sensors, crash mats and monitors for elderly residents to keep them safe and assist family members.

·       Confirmed that social care staff retention is higher in Tower Hamlets than most local authorities nationally, with a 5% attrition rate. The career progression framework includes a learning and development programme to support social workers, occupational therapists and qualified staff.  Training and workshops, practice sessions, forums and apprentice schemes have also been made available to fully invest in the workforce, and a new supervision policy has been established, ensuring reflective practice and robust risk management is undertaken.

·       Clarified that local authorities have now received more funding for health inequalities from the ICB and new initiatives will be established within the borough. Consideration will be given to increasing screening and mental health services and the sub-committee will be informed once details are finalised.

·       Noted that the ICB are funding a Health Equality Academy to link best practice from across the Place partnerships, to expand the Integrated Care Partnership approach to tackling inequalities.

·       Explained that Tower Hamlets Connect assists residents with advice, information and guidance by focusing on effective and good quality responses from dedicated staff and maintaining close partnerships and robust monitoring.  The service also acts as the “Front Door” of Adult Social Care.

The Sub-Committee thanked Councillor Gulam Choudhury and Officers for their presentation.

RESOLVED that

1.       The presentation be noted.

2      The sub-committee to be updated on the Combating Drug Partnership.