Issue - meetings

To receive an update on Adults’ Health and Care issues related to Covid-19.

The Committee received a presentation from the Director of Adult’s Health and Care regarding the impact of the pandemic on social care services, covering a number of aspects including recovery of services, impact on care homes and the impact on broader health starting to lead to demand pressures.

It was noted that 97% of staff in Hampshire County Council social care services were vaccinated, however there were 1200 unvaccinated staff in the wider workforce, and the deadline was approaching in November for the requirement that staff working in care homes be vaccinated.

It was discussed that recruitment and retention was a challenge in social care roles, particularly as the lowest grade care worker salary was 30% less than the lowest salary in an NHS care role. A ‘Call to Care’ campaign was underway to attract people to care roles.

RESOLVED:

The Committee note the update.

To receive a presentation from the Director of Adults Health and Care, providing an update on developments in the Covid-19 adult social care response in Hampshire since the last meeting on 11 January. 

The Committee received a presentation from the Director of Adults Health and Care (see Item 9 in the Minute Book) providing an update on the response to the pandemic by the Adults Health and Care department since the last meeting. Upper tier local authorities were responsible for coordinating support to the clinically extremely vulnerable and those shielding. It was reported that a further cohort had been identified as vulnerable nationally, with 30,000 in this category in Hampshire. The County Council had received details of 11,400 so far that would be approached to offer support and prioritised for vaccination.

It was reported that nearly all social care staff had been vaccinated by 15 February and carers were now able to get the vaccine. A recovery roadmap was being developed to establish next steps for services over the next 2 years.

Regarding care homes, it was noted that from 8 March residents would be able to nominate a loved one who could come for regular visits. Members asked questions for clarification and heard that visits still needed to be carefully managed once residents and their visitors were vaccinated as there remained a chance of transmission and immune response to the vaccination was variable.

The Chairman wanted to place on record on behalf of the committee thanks to county council staff for their efforts over the past year, noting that the Council would be acknowledging the anniversary of the start of the first lockdown on 23 March.

RESOLVED:

The Committee note the update.

To receive a presentation from the Director of Adults’ Health and Care providing the latest update on social care issues related to Covid-19.

The Committee received a presentation from the Director of Adults’ Health and Care (see Item 8 in the Minute Book) providing an update on the Covid-19 response by Adults’ Health and Care. Members heard that in the national lockdown day services had been closed, however one to one outreach was being maintained where it was considered necessary. Advice had been provided to care homes regarding arrangements to support safe visits, with staff being mindful to seek to facilitate in end of life situations. At the time of the meeting 20% of care home residents had received a first dose of the vaccination and 23% of care home staff. Members asked questions for clarification.   

RESOLVED:

The Committee note the update.

To receive an update on the Adult Social Care aspects of the pandemic including regarding support for those in the Shielding category, Care Homes, and Service Recovery.

The Committee received an update from the Director of Adults’ Health and Care (see Item 7 in the Minute Book) providing an update on the Covid-19 response by Adults’ Health and Care. The report and accompanying presentation covered support to vulnerable residents and people supported by adult social care services, moves towards recovery of services, and work undertaken to support the care home sector.

Members heard that on 31 July the national shielding programme had ceased, which affected 53,000 Hampshire residents. There was then a campaign ‘It’s Ok to…’ to help them reconnect safely etc. A skeleton of the support structure that had been used to support those shielding would be retained, so it could be scaled up again in future if needed.  

The department was undertaking learning reviews to reflect on the response to the pandemic to date. The department was providing support to the care home sector and would continue to do so heading in to winter. Regular testing for the virus in care homes was an issue. 83% of care homes were now reporting access to regular testing kits, however lab capacity to produce the results remained an issue. 

Members asked questions to explore the issues. A risk based approach was being taken to recovery of face to face services such as day services and respite services e.g. for those with a learning disability. Approaching 50% of users were back to using day services.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee notes the work that has taken place to date by Adults’ Health and Care, public and voluntary sector organisations and their partners in Hampshire to support the needs of its most vulnerable citizens and the wider community.

2.    That the Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee is assured by the systems that have been put in place across Hampshire, as set out in this report, to support the county’s most vulnerable residents as well as the wider community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

3.    That the Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee recognises the impacts upon the care home sector and wider social care sector but is assured by the work underway to support the care home sector.

4.    That the Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee notes actions taken and currently underway to support moves toward recovery of services, systems and processes across Adults’ Health and Care and receives further updates at future meetings.

To receive an overview of the response and support provided across the county of Hampshire to vulnerable residents and people supported by adult social care services and the moves toward recovery of our services and usual support services.

The Director of Adults’ Health and Care provided an overview on welfare response and arrangements overseen by the Local Resilience Forum.  

Members heard that the response has been supported by partners with close collaboration between HCC, 4000 volunteers, the Voluntary Care Sector (VCS), NHS, districts, and boroughs sharing best practices, collaboration, learning, coordinating the response.  Being a large County Council with 11 districts and boroughs, this required swift and concerted efforts.  

A significant number of vulnerable people were helped alongside older adults and existing service users.  HCC care services and independent providers used a two-pronged approach to provide support with a comprehensive communication strategy and social media advertising leading to 13 thousand vulnerable residents reaching out.  

Services were provided through local response centres served by district and borough councils, offering additional food boxes due to restrictions or in the early days including residents who were not entitled but still experiencing hardship.  The links between districts and food banks have been key, easing and oiling the collaborative relationships around operations.  

With partial easing of arrangements for the shielded including food boxes is expected to end soon, people will need support to rebuild their independence, access provisions and also manage anxieties.  There is a need to reinstate services for service users that were ceased due to necessary social distancing.  Increase in the emergency provision of mental health concerns and care for the vulnerable will be important to recovery.  

A special focus will remain on those groups hard to reach in Hampshire including supporting domestic abuse victims, rough sleepers, and those with substance abuse issues.   There is a need to flex quickly and ensure business continuity as much as possible, such as moving to virtual work to ensure statutory services continue but also taking steps to restore services for those that are paused.  In line with Outbreak Control Planning, this is an opportunity to develop a recovery plan based on lessons learned and considering significant workforce aspects.  Unparalleled developments of the pandemic led to a continuous improvement plan.  Reflective sessions have been planned to look back over what has happened before looking forwards.

In response to questions, Members heard:

While there were some initial local challenges or lack of coordination, volunteers have made an incredible impact and food banks were generously helped by grocery stores.  

The government shared information about those vulnerable but this came through in parts across several weeks leading to challenges in coordination for response across a challenging geography.  Grassroots parish and district work and Facebook groups were encouraged but there was a need to introduce consistency, safety, and contend with significant data sharing restrictions.  Not all shielded residents were registered or had not consented to sharing information.  It remains a massive testament to the volunteers of whom there were more than there was demand.  

Relationship managers were introduced for all districts and boroughs.  In terms of local response, there was spontaneous volunteering and working with partners but over a few weeks, there was a need to ensure that the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 208