Issue - meetings

To receive a summary of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and 2021/22 Winter period on the delivery of adult social care, including a summary of the financial impact.

The Director of Operations for Adult Social Care (ASC) and the Interim Director of ASC Commissioning introduced the report and presented the item. The main points were as follows:

Overview:

·       The service had undergone a unique set of winter pressures.

·       National mandated measures to support the ASC service had been introduced in March 2020.

·       Pressures on emergency departments and acute hospitals had taken place.

·       The Incident management hospital discharge scheme was engaged to support the population through this period and was also introduced in March 2020.

·       There were nationwide workforce shortages in ASC and in the local setting the ASC operational area had around 25 vacancies. Other vacancies existed in Occupational Therapy.

NHS System pressures:

·       Acute hospitals continued to see challenges due to their bed occupancy rates, with around 95% of the capacity full, meaning very little scope for further capacity.

·       Community hospitals are also under pressure including mental health facilities.

·       GPs and primary care networks were involved in the nationwide vaccination program.

The Care Market:

·       Since August 2021, 76 packages of care were handed back to BCP from 21 providers.

·       There are 150 Care Providers in the BCP area.

·       Staff morale is low and staff are exhausted.

·       Covid infection and staff resignations are fueling staffing crisis.

·       Residential care staff are 95% double vaccinated with 31% having received the booster.

Operational Pressures:

·       There was a 40% increase in hospital social work demand.

·       The heightened demand meant that waiting times have gone up.

·       Resources were being diverted to hospital discharge out of necessity.

·       There had been an increase in safeguarding concerns, though not all had resulted in a section 42.

Financial Implications:

·       There had been an increase in fees for Care Homes.

·       Patients require 30% more care following discharge. This was not unexpected though as people were leaving hospital at the earliest opportunity and therefore were likely to have greater needs upon discharge.

·       Government funding for the hospital discharge program is set to end on 31 March 2022.

·       Workforce and Infection Grants had been awarded to Care sector over this period.

Risks:

·       The shortage of care capacity that is delaying care and support.

·       The pressure to discharge patient.

·       Financial pressures on the ASC budget.

·       Greater emergency use of Care Homes for people being discharged who may otherwise go home if they were in hospital longer. This requires the individual to go into an interim residence before going back to permanent residency.

The Director of Operations for Adult Social Care (ASC) and the Interim Director of ASC Commissioning answered questions and comments from the Committee. These were as follows:

·       A member asked about staff morale and what had been done to prevent resignations / further staffing vacancies. The Committee heard that there had been two large workforce retention funds which had gone directly to the providers of care for their staff. The service provide regular communications with care providers as well as incentives such as extra money during Christmas, free parking, childcare. A £150 grant was awarded for all care staff over  ...  view the full minutes text for item 182