Minutes:
Members
received a presentation from Swansea Bay University Health Board (SBUHB) on the
key health board developments, a recap and update on the quality improvements
and service transformation work, health services in valley communities and the
joint working priorities.
Health
Board colleagues thanked Members for the opportunity to attend today’s
meeting.
The
Committee heard that there had been no impact on services to patients as a
result of the Bridgend boundary change which took place on the 1 April,
2019.
Discussion
took place on the impact of population and economic changes on communities that
influences peoples’ health. People were living longer but people in deprived
communities lived 9.7 years less than more affluent areas. In addition, there was a
18/20 year gap in healthy life expectancy.
Swansea Bay footprint had over a quarter of its communities categorised
as deprived which was higher than the Welsh average. Also, the Health Board had
the highest rate of suicide in Wales particularly in Neath Port Talbot.
Information
was received on the vision for the Swansea Bay University Health Board and the
quality improvements and service transformation being implemented by the Health
Board. The aim of this work was to have
the best outcomes for people within the resources available.
In
addition, work was being undertaken to improve the health outcomes for frail
older people who were the highest re-presentations at Accident and Emergency
Units. Also, they were prone to the
longest lengths of stay in hospital. Work was taking place with Neath Port
Talbot Social Services, Health and Housing Directorate to enable patients to be
discharged from hospital with the appropriate care packages in place at
home. Community based services were also
being developed to support older people with mental health problems to reduce
the need for admission to hospital.
Discussion
took place on the issues within some valley areas in accessing General
Practitioner Services. It was noted that
there were challenges in these areas in regard to recruitment and there were
surgeries that overlaped two health board areas. A
clinical review was undertaken in one particular area in the Amman Valley which
confirmed the surgery was operating a safe model for patient care. A triage
system was operating to ensure that patients were directed to the appropriate
specialist in a speedy manner. In
addition, both health boards worked together to achieve the correct outcomes
for their patients.
Confirmation
was given as previously discussed that the Bridgend boundary changes did not
impact on patients. If Members had any information that was contradicting this
please forward to Health Board colleagues.
Following
on, clarification was given that the outcome of a recent review in regard to
the future of a surgery in the Cymllynfech area was
not completed and the process was not finished. A request had been made by the G.P
Practice to the Health Board to consolidate their Practice to a reduced number
of sites. The Community Health Council
has undertaken public engagement and concerns had been identified.
Members
noted that the additional monies given to Health from Welsh Government was as
part of the improvement measures and that the Welsh Government monitored Health
to ensure it was achieving performance targets.
In addition, if Health did not meet those agreed targets the Welsh
Government recovered monies allocated to those targets which had been done previously.
In
response to Members queries it was explained that SBUHB produced a three year
strategic delivery plan which covered all areas including treatment waiting
times but because SBUHB was currently in a targeted intervention by Welsh
Government, the Health Board had to produce an annual report that the Welsh
Government monitors the Health Board against on a monthly basis.
It
was highlighted that performance had significantly improved in many areas, especially
in waiting times and for outpatients was the lowest in Wales but there remained
an issue with addressing the backlog in orthopaedics and general surgery. It was recognised that whilst there had been
improvements, there was still significant work to do. It was noted that the area where performance
had not improved as much as expected was in unscheduled care, and this was an
area of focus for the Health Board with its partners.
Confirmation
was given that assessments were undertaken on mental capacity when concerns
were raised on admission to hospital.
Members
received an update on the work that had been developed between the Health Board
and Neath Port Talbot Social Services, Health and Housing to strengthen the
process for assessments prior to discharge that enabled care packages to be put
in place.
Members
were reassured that there was a commitment from SBUHB and NPT Social Services,
Health and Housing to work in partnership to achieve the best outcomes.
Members
asked for clarity on how hospitals operated during weekend periods. It was explained that patients who were admitted
on weekends received treatment as required and if appropriate were discharged
from hospital. Members were asked to
highlight any cases to the Health Board where this did not happen.
In
addition, the Committee was asked to raise any concerns in relation to patients
accessing physio equipment or any similar issue to share with the Director of
Social Services, Health and Housing who would identify with the Health
Board. As previously stated the Health
Board and Neath Port Talbot worked in partnership to achieve the best outcomes
for patients at home or to enable them to return home.
Members
identified the inequality in some areas in regard to G.P surgeries working with
voluntary organisations to provide support services for communities. In addition, engagement with patient groups
was encouraged in some areas but not others.
It was explained that with the new multi-agency cluster plans being
developed this would enable a better understanding of what mattered to
people. Cluster Networks would have access
to funding that could support voluntary organisations to provide services that
were identified as a need in communities.
In addition, this monies could be used to support preventative
initiatives.
The
Committee thanked the representatives from Swansea Bay University Health Board
for attending today’s meeting and invited them to attend a future meeting.
Members
noted the presentation.
Supporting documents: