Meeting documents

            Meeting: Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee (County Hall, Durham - Committee Room 2 - 03/10/2005 10:00:00 AM)

                  Item: A3 Consultation Issues (a)Ambulance Services (b)Proposed Merger between County Durham and Darlington Priority Services Trust (c) Proposed Reprovision of the Louisa Wing, Stanfield House (d) Urology Service

         

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Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee 3 October 2005 Consultation - Proposed Reprovision of the Louisa Wing, Stanfield House, Stanley

Report of Head of Overview and Scrutiny

Purpose of Report

1. To explain the attached report from the Priority Trust about the proposed closure of the Louisa Wing at Stanfield House, Stanley which provides care for older people with mental health needs.

Background

2. A formal consultation process has taken place from the 8^th July to the 30^th September 2005 about a proposal by the Priority Trust to close the Louisa Wing at Stanfield House, Stanley and provide alternative modern facilities.

3. The Louisa Wing provides eleven care beds. There are currently seven residents in this unit.

4. The consultation process appears to have been positive with general support for the proposal to re-provide facilities more fit for purpose. In particular, the interests of the seven residents are being carefully looked after.

Recommendation

5. The consultation process appears to have been effective. In the light of the comments made, the only issue which requires reassurance is that the transition to the new facilities is carefully managed and that the Priority Trust provides an assurance that, in the event of a merger taking place with the Tees and North East Yorkshire Trust, the commitments made in relation to the re-provision of facilities will be fulfilled by any merged Trust.

Contact: Ian Mackenzie Tel: 0191 383 3506

Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee 3 October 2005 Consultation On The Proposed Merger Between the Durham and Darlington Priority Services Trust and the Tees and North East Yorkshire Trust.

Report of Head of Overview and Scrutiny

Purpose of Report

1. To seek views about the proposed merger of the two Trusts who provide mental health, learning disability and addictive behaviour services in County Durham.

Background

2. The Sub-Committee has been made aware that the County Durham and Darlington Priority Services Trust and the Tees and North East Yorkshire Trust were considering a merger to form a new Trust.

3. The two Trusts have now started a formal consultation process about the proposed merger. A copy of the consultation document is attached.

4. Strictly, the Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee does not have a statutory role in this consultation process which, on the face of it, is organisational and will not, in itself, result in changes to patient services. The two Trusts, however, would welcome any views from Health Scrutiny. The views of patients who use the services provided by the two Trusts is the most important issue. The merger is justified on the basis of increased effectiveness. Perhaps the role of this Sub-Committee is to ensure that if the merger is supported by patients, it does deliver the improvements which are outlined in the consultation document.

5. Assurances were sought from the two Trusts that the proposed merger would not affect commitments made to improve services for County Durham residents. As promised, this assurance is part of the consultation document. Particular reference is made to the commitments in respect of the Advance Project and the replacement of the County Hospital in Durham.

6. One area of potential concern is the need to have continuity in the provision of services which more and more are being delivered jointly with Social Care and Health. There are major changes imminent in relation to the provision of children and young persons’ services and adult services for local authorities. It is important that this proposed merger takes into account these changes so that services are not affected.

Recommendation

5. You are asked to:-

Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee 3 October 2005 Consultation - Proposed Reprovision of the Louisa Wing, Stanfield House, Stanley

Report of Head of Overview and Scrutiny

Purpose of Report

1. To explain the attached report from the Priority Trust about the proposed closure of the Louisa Wing at Stanfield House, Stanley which provides care for older people with mental health needs.

Background

2. A formal consultation process has taken place from the 8^th July to the 30^th September 2005 about a proposal by the Priority Trust to close the Louisa Wing at Stanfield House, Stanley and provide alternative modern facilities.

3. The Louisa Wing provides eleven care beds. There are currently seven residents in this unit.

4. The consultation process appears to have been positive with general support for the proposal to re-provide facilities more fit for purpose. In particular, the interests of the seven residents are being carefully looked after.

Recommendation

5. The consultation process appears to have been effective. In the light of the comments made, the only issue which requires reassurance is that the transition to the new facilities is carefully managed and that the Priority Trust provides an assurance that, in the event of a merger taking place with the Tees and North East Yorkshire Trust, the commitments made in relation to the re-provision of facilities will be fulfilled by any merged Trust.

Contact: Ian Mackenzie Tel: 0191 383 3506

CONSULTATION PAPER

8^TH JULY 2005

CONSULTATION ON THE RE-PROVISION OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR OLDER PEOPLE (MHSOP) LOUISA WING, STANFIELD HOUSE, STANLEY

1.0 CONSULTATION/COMMUNICATION PLAN
1.1 Proposal to close the existing services for older people with mental health needs at Louisa Wing, Stanfield House, Stanley.
1.2 The re-provision of all services for older people with mental health needs in Derwentside will be subject to a separate business case.
2.0 TIMETABLE
2.1 1^st June 2005 Paper to County Durham and Darlington Priority Services NHS Trust’s Executive Directors
14^th June 2005 Paper to Derwentside Primary Care Trust PEC
14^th June 2005 Verbal presentation to Health and Scrutiny Sub-Group
28^th June 2005 Paper to Derwentside Primary Care Trust Board
28^th July 2005 Paper to County Durham and Darlington Priority Services NHS Trust Board
Formal Consultation Period
8^th July 2005 - 30 ^th September 2005
POST CONSULTATION TIMETABLE
29^th September 2005 Progress Report to County Durham and Darlington Priority Services NHS Trust Board and Full Business Case regarding re-provision
3^rd October 2005 Progress Report to Health and Scrutiny Sub-Group
11^th October 2005 Progress Report to Derwentside Professional Executive Committee and Full Business Case regarding re-provision
25^th October 2005 Progress Report to Derwentside Primary Care Trust Board and Full Business Case regarding re-provision
MECHANISMS FOR CONSULTATION

STAKEHOLDER LIST AND MECHANISMS

Stakeholders	Consultation Document to be received	Presentation Briefing Date	By Whom
Staff at Stanfield House Relatives and Staff at Stanfield House	P	21st June 2005 (2 meetings) 4th July 2005 7th July 2005 Three other dates have been agreed for meetings with Carers plus visits to other units	Clinical Director MHSOP General Manager MHSOP Clinical Director MHSOP General Manager MHSOP
Visit with Jim Owens (NED) and Nigel Nicholson of Derwentside Primary Care Trust to Lindisfarne and Louisa Wing, Stanfield House	P	21st June 2005	General Manager MHSOP
Staff at Stanfield House	P	4th July 2005 7th July 2005	General Manager MHSOP Derwentside PCT Representative
Derwentside PPI Forum	P	15th August 2005 10.30-12.30 Park House, Lanchester	General Manager MHSOP Derwentside PCT Representative
Trust PPI Forum	P	10th August 2005 10.00-12.30 Four ClocksBishop Auckland	Director MHSOP CE Derwentside PCT
Derwentside District Council Health Scrutiny Special Meeting	P	18th July 2005	Director MHSOP CE Derwentside PCT
Durham Health and Scrutiny Sub-Committee	P
Meetings and visits with Councillor Hunter of Derwentside County Council. Meeting to be arranged with Councillor Vasey upon return from Annual Leave.	P	1st July 2005 To be confirmed	Director MHSOP Director MHSOP

Stakeholders	Consultation Document to be received	Presentation Briefing Date	By Whom
Media	P Press Release	w/c 4th July 2005	Communications Officer (CDDPS Trust)
Tees and North East Yorkshire NHS Trust	P	w/c 10th July 2005
Alzheimer’s Derwentside	P	To be confirmed	Director MHSOP Derwentside PCT Representative
Age Concern Derwentside	P	To be confirmed	Director MHSOP Derwentside PCT Representative
MP’s Hilary ArmstrongTony Blair Roberta Blackman-Woods Helen Goodman John CummingsAlan Milburn Kevan Jones	P
County Durham and Tees Valley Strategic Health Authority	P
County Durham and Darlington Acute Hospitals NHS Trust	P
Durham County Council Chief Executive	P
Staff in Trust Services within the Directorate	P		General Manager MHSOP
All Trust Staff	Via Intranet and Corporate Brief
Staff in Derwentside Primary Care Trust	P		Chief Executive Derwentside PCT Representative
Joint Consultative Committee	P	Informal 12th July 2005Formal 9th August 2005	Director of MHSOP
Director of Social Services	P	To be confirmed	Director MHSOP Derwentside PCT Representative
PCT Community Reference Group	P	To be confirmed	Director MHSOP Derwentside PCT Representative

Stakeholders	Consultation Document to be received	Presentation Briefing Date	By Whom
Derwentside Community Empowerment Group	P	To be confirmed	Director MHSOP Derwentside PCT Representative

OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

3^rd OCTOBER 2005

COUNTY DURHAM AND DARLINGTON PRIORITY SERVICES NHS TRUST
CONSULTATION PAPER - RESPONSE

PROPOSAL TO RE-PROVIDE THE PRESENT CONTINUING CARE PROVISION BASED AT STANFIELD HOUSE, LOUISA WING, STANLEY/EXAMINATION OF THE FUTURE SERVICE REQUIREMENTS FOR OLDER PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS IN DERWENTSIDE

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 In July 2005, County Durham and Darlington Priority Services NHS Trust and Derwentside Primary Care Trust launched a public Consultation on the closure of the Louisa Wing, Stanfield House, Stanley. At the same time a piece of work was launched examining future service requirements for Older People with Mental Health needs in Derwentside.

1.2 The Consultation, which ran from 8 ^th July 2005 to 30^th September 2005 was part of a process enabling both organisations to explain the need for the closure of Stanfield House and the re-development of Services in the area and to listen to the views of Carers, Service Users and other key stakeholders in the planning and development of services for Older People with Mental Health needs in Derwentside.

1.3 This report gives a summary of the process to date and gives a summary of the responses received.

2 BACKGROUND

2.1 Both organisations need to ensure that Older People with Mental Health needs in Derwentside receive the most appropriate level of care in the most appropriate environment.

2.2 The Louisa Wing, Stanfield House, Stanley, does not and cannot provide care that is needed for the most vulnerable and often challenging needs of Older People with Mental Health Needs.

2.3 Despite excellent care and treatment provided by the doctors and nurses, the needs of the patients cannot be met due to the size of the unit which does not allow for separate environments and personal space. Moreover, the unit is isolated from the main hospital site at Shotley Bridge, these risks were highlighted in a report published by the Commission for Health Improvement in 2003.

2.4 There are also problems in recruiting and retaining nurses at the unit, which is making it increasingly difficult to ensure appropriate and safe staffing arrangements.

3 THE PROPOSAL

3.1 County Durham and Darlington Priority Services Trust and Derwentside PCT, have been meeting to agree on how services for Older People with Mental Health needs in Derwentside are to be developed and re-configured based on the needs of the population and best practice.

3.2 The Business Case will examine the need to re-develop and modernise admission/assessment facilities, day hospital facilities, services required for individuals with long term needs and community based facilities in Derwentside.

3.3 It is recognised that to develop improved and modernised services, will require the Primary Care Trust and Priority Services Trust to agree what can be achieved within available finances and what will need further investment.

3.4 It is proposed to close the Louisa Wing, as at 31^st October 2005 and for the Business Care for Derwentside to be finalised by March 2006.

3.5 The 7 residents presently in the Louisa Wing will be relocated either to appropriate Units on the Earls House Site or into Nursing Homes within the Area.

4 THE CONSULTATION PROCESS

The Consultation process was conducted in line with Section 11 of the Health and Social Care Act and involved the following elements:-

4.1 Consultation Leaflets

200 Leaflets were produced and distributed widely to stakeholders, service users, carers, staff and the public (see appendix 1 for details of distribution). In addition, the document was available on the Trust’s Website.

A press release was issued to coincide with the launch of the public consultation process and to promote the public meetings.

4.2 Communication with Carers and Residents

Five meetings have been held with carers/relatives of the patients at Stanfield House, relatives and carers have also met with the General Manager or Clinical Director individually.

Visits to the units on Earls House site have been facilitated by the Priority Services user/carer development worker. A colour booklet with photographs of the unit and information for the residents who were not able to visit the units have been left at the Louisa Wing.

Carers felt that the process has been well managed with a lot of support being offered to residents and carers.

Advocacy has also been provided to users and carers.

Patient reviews have been undertaken by Doctors, Nurses, Users and Carers to ensure their needs would be met in the new environments.

4.3 Meetings with Staff

A range of meetings have taken place at the Louisa Wing to talk to staff as a group and on an individual basis and to explore re-deployment options. Monthly meetings have taken place in July, August and September 2005.

Staff have been seen individually with their staff side representative to ensure staff’s needs and views are considered.

Staff have also visited the wards on the Earls House Site.

4.4 Meetings with Stakeholders

Representatives from County Durham and Darlington Priority Services NHS Trust have met and presented the proposals to a variety of stakeholders:-

Durham Health and Scrutiny Sub-Committee 14^th June 2005

Meeting with Councillor Hunter Durham County
Council 1^st July 2005

County Durham and Darlington Joint Consultative
Committee 12^th July 2005

Derwentside District Council Health Scrutiny
Special Meeting 18^th July 2005

Visit by Councillor Priestley and Councillor Armstrong
together with Ian McKenzie 28^th July 2005

Trust PPI Forum 10^th August 2005

Derwentside PPI Forum 15^th August 2005

PCT Community Reference Group 6^th September 2005

Age Concern 13^th September 2005

Other Stakeholders were offered a meeting but declined.

4.5 Written Communication

The Trust has received comments from Derwentside Overview and Scrutiny Committee stating that whilst they support improved care for existing patients, there were concerns at the closure of the facility prior to a firm commitment being given to the provision of a new facility within the Derwentside area.

5 SUMMARY OF COMMENTS ON THE CONSULTATION WITH RESPONSES

5.1 Overall there was a general agreement that the Louisa Wing, Stanfield House did not provide a suitable environment for the care and treatment of Older People with Mental Health needs.

5.2 Relatives and carers of the seven residents are very supportive of the move as they can see the benefits that more modern premises can give.

5.3 It is important that we do not rush the business case for the re-development of services in Derwentside, but we must ensure appropriate interim measures that will support Older People with Mental Health needs in Derwentside.

These measures will include:-
5.4 We recommend that the closure of the Louisa Wing, Stanfield House takes place.





Lesley Crawford
Director of MHSOP, LD & CAMHS



Attachments

 Item 3d pdf.pdf;
 Item 3c3.DOC;
 Item 3c2.DOC;
 Item 3c.doc;
 Item 3b pdf.pdf;
 Item 3 pdf.pdf