Cabinet Member: Cllr. W. Gareth Roberts
To
consider a report by the Cabinet Member of Adults and Health on the above.
12.00
– 12.45 p.m.
Minutes:
The report of the Cabinet
Member for Adults and Health was submitted outlining the new enablement
arrangements.
The Cabinet Member for Adults
and Health set the context by stating that the enablement scheme was a way of
providing intense response to an individual's problems for a short period, in
order to recover the individual's living skills as soon as possible and to
avoid creating dependency. Evidence
indicated that too many individuals received intervention when they did not
really need it. Therefore it was
resolved to review the arrangements by using the ‘Ffordd
Gwynedd’ principles and to totally change the culture and thinking and offer
opportunities to be person focused.
A presentation was received
from Manon Williams (Area Manager) and Alwena Leadbitter (Senior Practitioner,
Adults, Health and Well-being Department) outlining the work of the Alltwen team and how the work incorporated the enablement
schemes more naturally and more specifically for the individual. In accordance with the new system,
arrangements were made with the person at the correct time and place.
Members were asked to take
part in an exercise and they noted the following observations:
·
That some persons
required more care from therapists etc.
·
It was important
that the plan lightened the load on families
·
If the service
users feel better then they should be able to tell the carers
·
That the scheme
needed to be targeted to the persons in real need of it
·
The scheme was
welcomed, however, it was vitally important that there were specific measures
to gauge what difference the scheme made to individuals
·
They had to be
clear regarding when individuals reached the objectives
·
The need to
extend the scheme to the areas of Meirionnydd/Dwyfor and to be available 7 days
a week as they were concerned about some persons discharged from hospital over
the weekend with no arrangements in place for them
·
That it was
necessary to immerse staff such as nurses on the wards to work jointly on the
principles in order to place the needs of the person first
In response to some of the
above comments, the Head of Adults, Health and Well-being explained that the
relationship with the Health Board was vital in order to roll-out the Alltwen scheme to other locations. In addition, it was noted that the workforce’s
role including Social Workers, Therapists, Nurses etc. was key. However, there was a great deal of work to be
undertaken again as it was a significant change for the staff, members and
service users and it was trusted that gradually the new arrangements could be
expanded across the County.
The Cabinet Member for Adults
and Health supported the above and added that this was a pilot scheme but it
was trusted that there would be joint working between the Health Board and
Social Services and this was central to the work and it was agreed that the
scheme needed to be extended out to other locations and areas.
During the ensuing discussion
the following points were highlighted by individual Members:
(i)
That the scheme was similar to what was
implemented at Awel y Coleg,
Bala where persons were encouraged to live
independently in a close enabling society and there were several examples of
individuals living more independently than they did in their own homes. It was asked how much attention was given
to family carers?
In
response, it was explained that the family network was important and was part of the central arrangements.
(ii)
It was asked why
the process had taken so long to implement?
In
response, it was explained that the scheme had been in operation for
approximately 10 months and they continued to experiment and to learn
lessons. It was difficult to speed up
and extend too quickly as it was a significant change to all. It was recognised that it was a slow process,
however, it was hoped that the momentum could be raised in order to roll-out
the scheme over the next few months. It
was noted that staff would firstly have to be immersed in the new thinking.
(iii)
In response to a
comment made regarding implementing the pooled budget, that it was important to
operate the scheme via one budget.
(iv)
Members were
reminded that an invitation had been extended for them to visit Ysbyty Alltwen on 21 January 2016
and they were encouraged to do so.
Resolved:
To accept, note and thank the officer for the report and the
presentation on the implementation of the enablement service.
The morning session commenced at
10:15am and concluded at 12:45pm.
Supporting documents: