Agenda item

          ENGAGEMENT WITH NHS BORDERS

4.1     An update on current activity was given by NHS Head of Delivery Support, Estates and Facilities, Warwick Shaw.  He referred to the media interest in the ongoing review of in-patient services and that NHS Borders would develop a full and robust engagement process.  There was no hidden agenda and there were no proposals to close Community Hospitals. 

          A&E Waiting Times

4.2     Mr Shaw reminded members of the Forum that Accident and Emergency figures were available on the NHS Borders website and were presented on a weekly basis.  The most recent figures demonstrated that out of 513 patients who had attended the A&E Department 10 waited longer than 4 hrs, with 7 hrs being the longest anyone had to wait.

          Out of Hours

4.3     The outcome of a consultation with Community Councils on the Out Of Hours service in NHS Borders had been shared with the Scottish Health Council and was awaiting their feedback. This would result in the business continuity plan approach being put in place permanently.  In the meantime a national Review of Out Of Hours service provision was being carried out.

          Norovirus

4.4     It was reported that there had been a recent outbreak of Norovirus at the BGH, but on the whole it had been kept under control.  Staff and Visitors were thanked for their diligence about using hand wash provided when moving around the hospital.

          Jedburgh Patients using Community Hospitals

4.5.    With reference to paragraph 19 of the Minute of 1 April 2015, Councillors Brown and Stewart raised grave concerns with regard to older people within Jedburgh and surrounding area being discharged from the BGH to Duns instead of the Community Hospital in Hawick.  They stated that when Jedburgh Community Hospital was closed they were promised that care would be provided through the Community Hospital in Hawick and that this was not the case.  Councillor Brown was appalled that GP’s could be allowed to decide who they would treat.  Mr Shaw explained that there was a shortage of GP’s and that a report on the Acute Services Review would be presented to the Board in October 2015.  Mr Shaw explained that Jedburgh had received a new extended Health Centre, following the closure of the Jedburgh Community Hospital. The Community Council also expressed concerns for the Elderly People within Jedburgh as there were few public transport links between Jedburgh and Duns.  The Elected members were disappointed to note that following a number of meetings there appeared to be little progress.  Mr Shaw together with the Depute Chief Executive  - People agreed to look into the matter and report directly back to Councillor Brown . 

DECISION

NOTED the report.

HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE PARTNERSHIP

5.1     The Depute Chief Executive – People was welcomed to the Forum to present information on the Integration of Health and Social Care and the consultation currently taking place.  It was explained that in accordance with the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014 the 14 Health Boards and 32 Local Authorities were required, by April 2015, to develop integration arrangements for each area and to establish a Joint Integration Board, Chief Officer and Joint Body.  By April 2016 there required to be developed a 3 year Strategic Plan covering the commissioning of adult care and health services.  The membership of the Borders Strategic Planning Group had come from all areas of Health and Social Care including service users, health and social care professionals, carers, related commercial and non-commercial organisations and from the third sector. The Group would be involved in all stages of developing and reviewing the Strategic Plan.  Copies of the initial Draft Strategic Plan were circulated at the meeting, and feedback was invited as part of the current consultation which would run until 5 June 2015.  Consultation on a second draft, produced by the end of June, would end on 22 September 2015, with a final draft by the end of October 2015 and new arrangements scheduled to be fully implemented by April 2016.

5.2     With reference to the Draft Strategic Plan, the presentation went on to look at the vision and aims of the Health and Social Care partnership.  Doing nothing was not an option. The case for change included an ageing population; rising demand for services; the cost of services; and the need to deliver better outcomes through improved joint working, better communication, reducing duplication and sharing information.  Lists were given of the current NHS and SBC services that would come within the scope of Integrated Services.  The objectives included making services more accessible; improving prevention and early intervention; reducing avoidable admissions to hospital; providing care close to home; optimising efficiency and effectiveness; and seeking to reduce health inequalities.  A case study was provided in the Plan giving a before and after scenario and demonstrating how the experience of the client, and efficiency, should be improved by the integration of services.  Also shown were proposed locality arrangements within the Scottish Borders model which would be based on the existing five areas.  In the discussion which followed the presentation, Members welcomed the presentation and recognised the importance of the public engaging with the consultation by submitting their views.  Officers confirmed that the Borders Strategic Planning Group was liaising with similar rural authorities and working with the Joint Improvement Team to share best practice.  The Chairman thanked officers for the informative presentation and encouraged members of the forum to take part in the consultation.

          DECISION

NOTED the presentation.