Agenda item

The Director of Service Delivery – Adult Social Work, the Health and Social Integration Manager, Head of Joint Commissioning, North West London Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and Joint Lead Borough Director CCG presented the report on the Better Care Fund Scheme for People with Learning Disabilities.

The Committee was provided with an update on the delivery of the Better Care Fund (BCF) scheme entitled Integrated Care and Support for People with Learning Disabilities and Autism. Officers informed the Committee that improving the health and wellbeing of people with mental health needs, people with learning disabilities and autistic people was one of the priorities within the updated Health and Wellbeing Strategy that was being consulted on. The work necessary to achieve this was being overseen by a transformation board chaired by a senior manager within the Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (CNWL)

Figures about the prevalence of learning disabilities were explained and an outline of the statutory services commissioned by the Council were highlighted.

There had been good performance on vaccinations and positive feedback from a new learning disability liaison nurse role working at a hospital. The complex care panels met weekly with a focus on preventing of hospital admissions.

The Committee heard that people with learning disabilities facing isolation due the closure of services during the pandemic had been an issue. To provide support during this period and avert crises where possible, both the Council’s Social Work Team and the Community Health Team for People with Learning Disabilities made weekly calls. Feedback suggests that this was appreciated by service users and their families.

It was noted that deaths of people with learning disabilities are investigated as part of the Learning Disability Mortality Review programme. The Council is in the early stages of exploring an integration model between health and social care.

The good performance on vaccinations and people in settled accommodation was noted and officers highlighted that the impact of the pandemic on the labour market meant that facilitating people into paid employment was more challenging. Officers stated that data was not available about how many people with learning disabilities wanted paid employment but advised that this was an area for further development. Further information was requested on the working age group of people in paid employment.

In response to Member questions, it was confirmed that long stay hospitals were robustly reviewed and overall, there was a short-term period of treatment. When a person with learning disabilities was admitted into hospital, care was provided, and discharges were planned taking into account the appropriate support level and settings that could be provided. Further information on the use of Do Not Attempt Resuscitation

(DNAR) forms would be requested from Hillingdon Hospital.

It was clarified that an adult care scheme (now known as Shared Lives) involved people providing support in their own homes. The breakdown of the ages of people with learning disabilities the Council support was noted.

The Committee heard information in relation to the complex care panel and the different agencies involved. It was noted that direct payments were an alternative to commissioned care services.

In response to the support provided to carers, Members were advised that there had been increased challenges during the Covid pandemic as carers had become more anxious to accept replacement care from formal carers. To assist carers, both social work and health teams were in close reach and virtual support was provided. The Committee heard how carer leads had been established in nearly all surgeries in the borough before the pandemic and that a priority for 2021/22 was to re-establish this.

In terms of future planning around accommodation for people living with elderly carers, it was explained that GPs played a key role to play, especially with people who did not meet the national eligibility criteria.

In response to a query about support and services for people who did not meet the national eligibility criteria, the Committee was advised there services available and the example of the DASH Hub in The Pavilions Shopping Centre was given

.

Further, it was reported that people with learning disabilities and their carers were central to all conversations and played an important role on the learning disability partnership board.

The Committee welcomed the report and was encouraged to see the developing partnership.

RESOLVED: That the Committee:

1.    noted the work being undertaken by the Council and partners to support people with learning disabilities and their families; and

2.    questioned officers and partners on the content of the report.