Adult, Community Services and Health Overview and Scrutiny Panel
Monday 14 December 2009
ADULT, COMMUNITY SERVICES & HEALTH OVERVIEW & SCRUTINY PANEL
14 DECEMBER 2009
PRESENT: Councillors Meadowcroft (Chairman), Baskerville, Mrs Evans, Lenton, Majeed, Mrs Napier and Mrs Proctor.
Non-Member: Councillor Dudley
Officers: Mr Abrahamson, Mr A Brown, Mrs Dineley, Mr Herlinger, Mr A Scott and Mrs Shawcross.
64/09 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Mrs Endacott and Mrs Yong.
65/09 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Councillor Mrs Napier declared a Personal and Prejudicial Interest in Agenda Item 4 – Annual Performance Assessment of Adult Social Care by the Care Quality Commission – as her son was in receipt of a care package.
Councillor Lenton declared a Personal Interest in Agenda Item 5 – Adult Services Customer Care Annual Report 2008/2009 Adult and Community Directorate – as a Director of Windsor Housing.
66/09 MINUTES
Members considered the report due to be submitted to Cabinet on 17 December 2009 on the Annual Performance Assessment of Adult Social Care by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The Care Quality Commission had been established in April 2009 and was a new organisation that brought together the Commission for Social Care Inspection and the Healthcare Commission. Members also noted that change to the performance measurement process that had been introduced for 2008/2009. The Panel noted that the outcome of the Assessment was that the Council was seen to be ‘performing well’ and was one of only two authorities in the South-East in the top quartile. Members also received an action plan that had been developed to address the areas identified for improvement.
The Lead Member and the Officers responded to questions raised by Members of the Panel on number of the key areas for development. In particular, a Member expressed disappointment with the adequate assessment of outcome 7 relating to Dignity and Respect, as it was felt that the Borough had a good record in that area. The Officers advised that as Safeguarding had only achieved an adequate outcome, the most that could be achieved in that area overall was adequate.
The Officers also responded to concerns expressed about the effect externalisation would have on the short term support and rehabilitation service, which had been judged as excellent for the third consecutive year. Members were advised that, as it was a very client costly service, a review of the service was necessary in order that more people were able to access the service. However, it was stressed that a service would not be outsourced that was less than what was currently provided and that the service specification would define the levels of service to be delivered and the provider would be monitored to ensure the quality of the service.
With regard to the timelines of social care assessment for all service users, the Officers advised improvements had been achieved and that the service should be on target at the year-end. With regard to the proposed improvement to the waiting times for major adaptations, it was suggested that a more robust target should be set.
The Panel also expressed their sincere gratitude to all staff within the Directorate for all the hard work and dedication that they had given and were reassured that the service was continuing to improve.
68/09 ADULT SERVICES CUSTOMER CARE ANNUAL REPORT 2008/2009 – ADULT AND COMMUNITY DIRECTORATE
The Panel received details of the new Adult Social Care complaints process operating within the Adult and Community Directorate, and a summary of the level and nature of the complaints and compliments that had been received during the period 1 April 2008 to 31 March 2009 in relation to Adult Services.
In response to a comment that service users and carers had not been advised of the changes to the complaints procedure, the Officers advised that the starting point for a complaint had not changed and that a leaflet outlining the complaints process and procedure was sent out following the instigation of a complaint.
69/09 SERVICE MONITORING REPORT
The Panel received and noted the latest service monitoring report for activity within the Adult, Community and Health Services during the period to 30 November 2009. It was noted that the Adult Social Care budget showed a projected under-spend of £35k, which was £75k less than the £110k reported last month.
In response to a number of questions, the Lead Member advised that further information would be provided at the Cabinet meeting on the VAT claim that was being progressed following the ruling by the House of Lords. Members were also advised that the cost the two service users that had been reclassified following a review of autism cases would be included in the subsequent report.
70/09 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1972 – EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC
14 DECEMBER 2009
PRESENT: Councillors Meadowcroft (Chairman), Baskerville, Mrs Evans, Lenton, Majeed, Mrs Napier and Mrs Proctor.
Non-Member: Councillor Dudley
Officers: Mr Abrahamson, Mr A Brown, Mrs Dineley, Mr Herlinger, Mr A Scott and Mrs Shawcross.
PART I
64/09 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Mrs Endacott and Mrs Yong.
65/09 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Councillor Mrs Napier declared a Personal and Prejudicial Interest in Agenda Item 4 – Annual Performance Assessment of Adult Social Care by the Care Quality Commission – as her son was in receipt of a care package.
Councillor Lenton declared a Personal Interest in Agenda Item 5 – Adult Services Customer Care Annual Report 2008/2009 Adult and Community Directorate – as a Director of Windsor Housing.
66/09 MINUTES
- RESOLVED: That the Part I minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 9 November 2009 be approved.
With regard to Minute 53/09 – Minor Injuries Unit: St Mark’s Hospital, Maidenhead – Councillor Mrs Napier commented upon a recent meeting of the Evaluation Panel and expressed concerns with the robustness of the data being supplied on activity levels. A further meeting of the Evaluation Panel was to be held on 23 December 2009.
Members considered the report due to be submitted to Cabinet on 17 December 2009 on the Annual Performance Assessment of Adult Social Care by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The Care Quality Commission had been established in April 2009 and was a new organisation that brought together the Commission for Social Care Inspection and the Healthcare Commission. Members also noted that change to the performance measurement process that had been introduced for 2008/2009. The Panel noted that the outcome of the Assessment was that the Council was seen to be ‘performing well’ and was one of only two authorities in the South-East in the top quartile. Members also received an action plan that had been developed to address the areas identified for improvement.
The Lead Member and the Officers responded to questions raised by Members of the Panel on number of the key areas for development. In particular, a Member expressed disappointment with the adequate assessment of outcome 7 relating to Dignity and Respect, as it was felt that the Borough had a good record in that area. The Officers advised that as Safeguarding had only achieved an adequate outcome, the most that could be achieved in that area overall was adequate.
The Officers also responded to concerns expressed about the effect externalisation would have on the short term support and rehabilitation service, which had been judged as excellent for the third consecutive year. Members were advised that, as it was a very client costly service, a review of the service was necessary in order that more people were able to access the service. However, it was stressed that a service would not be outsourced that was less than what was currently provided and that the service specification would define the levels of service to be delivered and the provider would be monitored to ensure the quality of the service.
With regard to the timelines of social care assessment for all service users, the Officers advised improvements had been achieved and that the service should be on target at the year-end. With regard to the proposed improvement to the waiting times for major adaptations, it was suggested that a more robust target should be set.
The Panel also expressed their sincere gratitude to all staff within the Directorate for all the hard work and dedication that they had given and were reassured that the service was continuing to improve.
- RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY That Cabinet be advised that the Panel welcomes the "performing well” performance rating for Adult Social Care Services and is pleased with the external validation of the high quality services the Royal Borough provides.
68/09 ADULT SERVICES CUSTOMER CARE ANNUAL REPORT 2008/2009 – ADULT AND COMMUNITY DIRECTORATE
The Panel received details of the new Adult Social Care complaints process operating within the Adult and Community Directorate, and a summary of the level and nature of the complaints and compliments that had been received during the period 1 April 2008 to 31 March 2009 in relation to Adult Services.
In response to a comment that service users and carers had not been advised of the changes to the complaints procedure, the Officers advised that the starting point for a complaint had not changed and that a leaflet outlining the complaints process and procedure was sent out following the instigation of a complaint.
69/09 SERVICE MONITORING REPORT
The Panel received and noted the latest service monitoring report for activity within the Adult, Community and Health Services during the period to 30 November 2009. It was noted that the Adult Social Care budget showed a projected under-spend of £35k, which was £75k less than the £110k reported last month.
In response to a number of questions, the Lead Member advised that further information would be provided at the Cabinet meeting on the VAT claim that was being progressed following the ruling by the House of Lords. Members were also advised that the cost the two service users that had been reclassified following a review of autism cases would be included in the subsequent report.
70/09 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1972 – EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC
- RESOLVED: That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting whilst discussion takes place on items 8 and 9 on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 2 and 3 of part I of Schedule 12A of the Act.