Issue - meetings

A multi-agency update, to incorporate updates from the County Council’s social care service and from health bodies, regarding recruitment and resourcing.  

The Committee received a presentation from the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board (representing Hampshire NHS providers) and the Director of Adults’ Health and Care (in respect of Hampshire social care provision) on service resilience, recruitment and resourcing across the health and social care sector.

The Director noted the Autumn Statement which had been published by the Treasury after the HASC papers had been circulated and noted the new information. The Committee noted that the Social Care Reforms (SCR) had been postponed for a two year period and that the funding identified to support SCR was to be made available to Local Authorities to support social care services. Furthermore, the social care Council Tax precept was able to be increased to 2%. Members also noted the Better Care Funding proposals and the allocations to the County Council.

Overall, both in health and social care, workforce resilience was a challenge. This was due to a complex range of factors, not least the competitive employment sector, intricacies of training and qualifications, potential industrial action and the impact this has on the perception of working in health and social care, growing demand for care, increasing cost of care and individuals with more complex support needs. The Committee heard how international recruitment had proven successful and noted how recruitment initiatives and innovative resourcing were seeking to engage and attract employees. Specific mention was made of current workforce shortages in mental health services and dentistry. Members were reassured that the continual focus amidst the shortages was to ensure the safety of services for users.

In response to Members’ questions, it was noted that:

·         There was an onus on the Integrated Care Board to help the public to understand how health care works and how integrated services add value. Enabling public understanding and engagement could only bring about positive outcomes and potentially positive impacts on recruitment and retention of workforce.

·         The numbers of agency staff varied according to circumstances – for example, many services operate an internal ‘bank’ of staff who are called upon if there are short term absences in the first instance.

·         Apprenticeships and training whilst in post was an important focus.

·         NHS international recruitment was undertaken from ‘green list’ areas with a known oversupply of workforce.

·         The acronym ‘WTE’ on page 39 of the agenda pack stood for Whole Time Equivalent.

·         The high volume of administrative and clerical staff within the NHS was vital in terms of supporting clinical staff to focus upon clinical delivery.

·         The Adults’ Health and Care department were transforming Carer Support Services and it was anticipated that this would impact upon the uptake of day services. Two hundred older adults were currently attending social care day services.

There was a question which was not able to be asked due to time constraints and was submitted via email. The question and response is appended to these minutes.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee thanks presenters for delivering the comprehensive presentation, notes the information set out and the significant workforce pressures  ...  view the full minutes text for item 89