To receive an update on the actions being taken following the recent Adult Social Care Peer Challenge.

The Director of Adult and Community Services and Strategic Lead for Adult Social Care Quality and Assurance provided an update on the actions being taken following the recent Adult Social Care Peer Challenge as set out in the submitted report.

The Sub-Board asked questions in relation to the current ‘PARIS’ case management system used by Torbay Council, the replacement system and how many phases were being completed to replace the system; admission to care homes and comments within the report regarding residents who had been moved to a care home who it was believed should not have been; work being carried out by Adult Services to monitor residents at home and any safeguarding work; what comprehensive training would be provided to colleagues using the new case management system; what providers were being sought to help care for residents who were being discharged from hospital; if improvements were being identified in numbers of residents being discharged from hospital and if there was still preventative work being carried out to prevent care home residents from being admitted to hospital.

Members were advised that Torbay Council was currently in the second procurement phase to purchase a new case management system.  There were three phases in total.  The first phase was to identify if a new system was required, second phase was a procurement exercise and third phase would be awarding the contract. 

The Director of Adult and Community Services explained that there were challenges currently being experienced in discharging residents from hospital and into a short term placement to be stabilised to return to home address.  Housing played a crucial part when residents who were admitted to hospital, lose their property and where alternative accommodation was required to be found. 

Torbay Council Adult Social Care Team works very well with Re-enablement Services and the number of residents who were helped to return to living within their own home.  Actions were being taken to widen the Service to aim to reach a wider range of residents who require the Services. 

Members were advised that work was carried out to monitor residents within their own home and Torbay Council Adult Services have good relationships with local providers.  Safeguarding actions were taken as and when required if issues arise. 

Members noted that all colleagues within Adult Services Directorate would be provided with comprehensive training to ensure that there was confidence that the data was being inputted correctly into the new case management system.  Two systems would be operated whilst the new system was being introduced and ongoing support will be provided. 

Members were advised that there was an element of choice for residents as to the provider that provides their care at home.  Torbay Council was an industry leader in the performance of ensuring residents were discharged from hospital as a result of the Integrated Care Organisation.  It was a top priority for residents to be discharged from hospital as quickly as possible. 

There had been a lot of work completed in providing enhanced care within care homes, where medical training was provided to carers, to be able to spot residents becoming unwell and providing treatment within the home, instead of residents having to be admitted to hospital. 

Resolved (unanimously):

1.            that the Adult Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Board notes the content of the submitted report and action plan;

2.            that the Adult Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Board receives a quarterly update of progress on the Adult Social Care Assurance Peer Challenge Action Plan; and

3.            that the Director of Adult and Community Services be requested to carry out a review into the replacement and progress of the case management system and a report is brought to a future Sub-Board meeting.