Agenda item

The Committee received a Joint Report of the Director of Transformation and Partnerships, Durham County Council and the Director of Commissioning, DDES CCG in respect of the proposed decommissioning of the stroke support service currently provided by the Stroke Association across County Durham and Darlington CCGs (for copy see file of Minutes).

The Director of Commissioning gave a presentation that highlighted the following:-

·         How many people are affected by stroke?

·         Services from the Local Authority

·         Services from the CCGs

·         Services from the voluntary sector

·         Why the review of the service?

·         Key Challenges to address

·         Next Steps

·         Communications

Members were reminded that at its meeting on 3 April 2017, the Committee had resolved that a further, more detailed report be brought back to the Committee which includes details of service user and carer engagement undertaken as part of the decommissioning process, the rationale behind the proposed change in service model including evidence from Stroke service practitioners and the impact assessment undertaken as part of the decommissioning process.As a consequence of this an extension to the Stroke Association contract had been given up to end July 2017.

The Director of Commissioning, DDES CCG indicated that following further discussions with the Stroke Association and Healthwatch Durham, a robust engagement process was to be undertaken in association with stroke patients, carers and their families which would include Durham Healthwatch to assess the service currently provided and to examine potential future service model options available which would enable performance standards to be improved.

As a result, the CCG had agreed to a further contract extension until 31 December 2017 and the Principal Overview and Scrutiny Officer requested that the results and findings of the engagement exercise be brought back to a future meeting of this Committee prior to a decision being made on future service provision.

The Chairman invited Peter Moore, Regional Director - North East Stroke Association to give his views.

Mr Moore said that the relationship between the Stroke Association and the CCG had much improved since the last Committee meeting in April.  The Stroke Association had campaigned for the best services to be provided for stroke survivors and he felt that this was now high on the agenda for the CCG.  He referred to paragraph 14 of the CCG report and commented that the service had not been monitored properly before hence the reason for being in this position today.

The Director of Commissioning confirmed that they had been working constructively with the Stroke Association and communication had much improved.

Councillor Smith said that there was an important priority in terms of patient outcome for the Early Support Discharge Team however she recognised how complex the needs could be.  She added that this would have a knock on effect for people staying in hospital.  The Director of Commissioning said that they did recognise the importance of the service and they were looking at the way the service could be delivered in the best way for patients.

Dr Murthy confirmed that Healthwatch would help to co-ordinate public engagement around this issue, subject to their board approval on 27 July 2017.  He asked for assurance that the consultation undertaken would be independent and would take on the views of all service users, carers and their families.

The Director of Commissioning confirmed that there was no intention to reduce funding for stroke services but would maximise the services available. 

Dr Murthy commented that patients and carers were consulted upon so often that they need to know what the purpose was and if their views would be taken into account.  He asked for assurance that the exercise would be meaningful.

The Director of Commissioning assured the Committee that all views would be taken into account.

Resolved:

That the report be received and a further report detailing the findings of the engagement process and options for future service provision be brought back to the November meeting of the Committee.