Agenda item

Mrs Jill Stacey provided an overview of the content of the report and highlighted the move towards a 12 month reporting cycle.  The internal audit role was for the NHS/SBC internal audit teams who worked for the IJB and partner organisations.  She commented that it was helpful to see the wider information rather than just the parts relevant to Health and Social Care Integration.  

Ms Sonya Lam enquired if there was an analysis/summary of the document.  

The Chair enquired about cross referencing and highlighted delayed discharges as an area that impacted on both partners.  Mr Rob McCulloch-Graham commented that NHS Borders internal audit had approached the IJB in order to focus on delayed discharges as performance in that area had declined since the start of the pandemic.  He further advised that a report had been produced which made several recommendations that would be monitored through the NHS Borders Audit Committee as they had commissioned the work.  The report would also be shared with the IJB.  

Cllr John Greenwell enquired about attendance and monitoring in primary and social care.  Mr McCulloch-Graham commented that the partner organisations were responsible for monitoring attendance of their employees and there were no significant issues in terms of sickness absence.  

Mrs Stacey confirmed that progress had been made and there were 3 open audit recommendations to be addressed.  

Further discussion focused on: directions and measurement elements; annual performance report; alignment of performance to objectives; revised governance arrangements; and workforce planning.

Cllr Tom Weatherston commented that Unions had recommended that care workers be given a substantial pay increase to £15 an hour and that the Scottish Government had confirmed a £500 one off bonus payment NHS staff.  Mr McCulloch-Graham commented that it was a national matter and suggested in the future the carer’s role may be moved to undertake more intermediate care which might justify an increase in salary.   

The Chair commented that a Scotland wide national care service was being explored.   Ms Sonya Lam enquired when the next Strategic Plan would be released given the current plan was due to conclude in 2021.  She also noted a blurring of professionals’ roles and suggested each profession should be recognised as having it’s own unique contribution, identified according to their regulation.  Mr McCulloch-Graham confirmed that there was legislation in Scotland to allow the delivery of generic tasks to be carried out by a single professional rather than by multiple agencies.  He suggested in 2021 the commissioning role would be reviewed with the same 3 clear objectives, and capacity and structure would be reviewed as the IJB matured.  

The SCOTTISH BORDERS HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE INTEGRATION JOINT BOARD AUDIT COMMITTEE acknowledged the progress made by Management in implementing Internal Audit recommendations to improve internal controls and governance, and mitigate risks

The SCOTTISH BORDERS HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE INTEGRATION JOINT BOARD AUDIT COMMITTEE considered whether it is satisfied with the progress or whether any further action is required.

The SCOTTISH BORDERS HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE INTEGRATION JOINT BOARD AUDIT COMMITTEE noted that Internal Audit will continue to monitor for completion the outstanding recommendations and will provide update reports to this Committee.