Agenda item

To receive a report from the Head of Democratic Services which presents information surrounding the development of a new model of delivery for community neurological rehabilitation services, including the engagement process and findings thus far, for the Board’s consideration and comment.

The Head of Democratic Services submitted a report which presented a briefing paper prepared jointly by NHS Leeds CCG and Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust on the development of a new model of delivery for community neurological rehabilitation services, including the engagement process and findings thus far, for the Board’s consideration and comment.

The following were in attendance:

-  Councillor Fiona Venner, Executive Member for Adult and Children’s Social Care and Health Partnerships

-  Councillor Salma Arif, Executive Member for Public Health and Active Lifestyles

-  Cath Roff, Director of Adults and Health

-  Victoria Eaton, Director of Public Health

-  Helen Knight, Clinical Head of Service for Neurology & Adult Speech and Language Therapy, Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust

-  Gillian Meakin, Service Development Lead (Clinical), Business, Change and Development Service, Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust

-  Lindsay Springall, Head of Pathway Integration, Long Term Conditions, NHS Leeds CCG

-  Claire Graham, Leeds Voices

-  Kirsten Wilson, Head of Insights, Communications and Involvement, NHS Leeds CCG

The Clinical Head of Service for Neurology & Adult Speech introduced the report explaining the rationale for redesigning the service and providing an overview of the key themes and emerging priority areas stemming from the engagement exercise with patients, carers and staff, which were set out within the briefing paper.  It was noted that these would inform the developing new model of delivery for community neurological rehabilitation services.

Members were advised that options will be debated and considered during October, with a final decision on the model to be agreed mutually between Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust and NHS Leeds CCG by the end of October.  Once agreed, a phased implementation of the new model is expected to begin in November 2021, with full implementation of the model in early 2022.

In consideration of the identified themes and emerging priorities that would inform the development of the new delivery model, the following points were raised by the Board:

·  Recognising digital technology as a priority area of development. There had been varied feedback from patients and carers during the engagement process in relation to the new digital delivery modes that had been expediated as a result of the pandemic (i.e. online consultations).  However, the Board noted that there had been a consensus view from LCH staff about the need to review current IT systems to help avoid duplication and improve how patients are effectively managed across LCH services.  While acknowledging that there is broader strategic work being undertaken around digital innovation across acute and community health services, the Board felt that the development of digital technology should still be acknowledged as part of the list of themes and priority areas informing the developing new model of delivery for community neurological rehabilitation services.

·  Prioritising actions and providing feedback to patients and staff.  In supporting the list of identified themes that would inform the new model of delivery, the Board also recognised the need to prioritise actions linked to each of the themes and providing feedback on this to patients and staff.  The representative from Leeds Voices highlighted that while there is already the intention to produce a ‘You Said, We Did’ report following the implementation of the new model, there would be merit in also producing a more immediate ‘You Said, We Heard’ report that explains how the Trusts are responding to the views expressed by patients, carers and staff in terms of redesigning and improving services.

·  Acknowledging the valuable role of the Third Sector.  The Board emphasised the importance of maximising all available resources, including Third Sector provision, to ensure that patients are accessing the right person, at the right place, at the right time.  Linked to this, it was noted that the Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust had been working closely with Voluntary Action Leeds to understand how best to utilise the provision available within that sector.  As part of the redesign process, the Board was also advised that there will be a full Equality Impact Assessment undertaken to ensure that services are accessible to all.

·  Ensuring links with the broader vision for stroke services. In recognition that some patients accessing the community neurological rehabilitation service will have come through the stroke pathway, the Board emphasised the need to ensure that the new model of delivery links in with the broader vision for stroke services.

·  Maintaining a watching brief of progress. The Board expressed a wish to schedule a further update in 12 months in order to maintain a watching brief surrounding the implementation of the new model of delivery for the community neurological rehabilitation service.

The Chair thanked everyone for their contributions and explained that a written summary of the Board’s observations and recommendations would be produced and submitted to NHS Leeds CCG and Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust.

RESOLVED –

a)  That the contents of the report, along with Members comments, be noted.

b)  That a written summary of the Board’s observations and recommendations be produced and submitted to NHS Leeds CCG and Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust.

c)  That a further update is brought back to the Scrutiny Board within 12 months.