Agenda item

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Transformation and Partnerships, Durham County Council and representatives of Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust that gave a post implementation update following the reconfiguration of Organic Inpatient (Dementia) wards serving County Durham and Darlington (for copy see file of Minutes).

The Director of Operations, TEWV reminded Members that following the consultation exercise, options for implementation were put to the Committee about inpatient care.  Evaluation work was progressing when correspondence was received from the Chair of the Committee expressing concerns about the mitigation plan.  A copy of that letter and response were attached to the papers for information.

She went on to provide an update about the evaluation of the organic bed changes since implementation in August 2016 in terms of travel, the number of admissions, length of stay, readmissions, staffing and feedback.  One of the main drivers for change was to alleviate pressure on the workforce.  Having 2 single sex wards had allowed the creation of dedicated whole time roles.  She advised that no formal or informal complaints had been received since the change and any carers that had not taken up the offer of mitigation in terms of travel were re-visited.  This was not a one ime only offer and patients and carers had the opportunity to change their minds about the help they required.

The Ward Manager for Auckland Park at Bishop Auckland informed the Committee that she had moved from the Lanchester Road site to Bishop Auckland and found that single sex wards were creating a much better environment for patients.  There were dedicated consultants on site with specialist services available such as pharmacists and advanced nurse practitioners.  She advised that all rooms were en-suite and that there were meaningful engagement and zone areas.

Councillor Temple thanked officers for their report and for the very thorough response to his points of concern.  There was no suggestion that the care was not excellent and this had been confirmed by the patient that had raised the initial enquiry with him.  He would like to continue to see the statistics to ensure that the mitigation plans continued to be in place.

The Director of Operations confirmed that she would be happy to bring further reports back to Committee and suggested October/ November time.

The Chairman thanked officers for the report and congratulated the Ward Manager for providing an excellent service.

Resolved:

(i)        That the report be received.

(ii)       That the comments of the Committee in respect of the impact of the reconfiguration of Organic Impatient (Dementia) wards serving County Durham and Darlington post-implementation be noted.