This year’s gathering to discuss the latest issues affecting social care will take place from 3 to 5 November in Manchester. Confirmed speakers include Secretary of State for Education, The Rt Hon Michael Gove MP; and Secretary of State for Health, The Rt Hon Andrew Lansley MP.
Click here for details
Sunday, 17 October 2010
Showcasing housing support services
Walsall’s Supporting People Provider Forum will be showcasing the benefits of housing related support services on 22 October 2010.
The event takes place between 10am and 12pm at the Town Hall, Lichfield Street, Walsall, WS1 1TP. Service users will talk about their experiences.
Admission is free.
Contact Alicia Wood, email: woodalicia@walsall.gov.uk
The event takes place between 10am and 12pm at the Town Hall, Lichfield Street, Walsall, WS1 1TP. Service users will talk about their experiences.
Admission is free.
Contact Alicia Wood, email: woodalicia@walsall.gov.uk
Ageing masterclass
A free master class on planning for an ageing population will be held in The Thistle, Birmingham, on 17 November 2101.
Organised by Local Government Improvement and Development, the master class will cover:
For information contact:Tasleem Sadiq, email: tasleem.sadiq@local.gov.uk
To book a place contact: Jane Pattullo, email: lgid@event-x.com
Organised by Local Government Improvement and Development, the master class will cover:
- understanding the age structure of local populations, the distribution of health and wealth and likely trends
- capturing older people’s priorities now and in the future
- costs associated with an ageing population
- methodologies and opportunities for scenario planning
- developing a strategic plan to improve older people’s quality of life and to provide sustainable public services.
For information contact:Tasleem Sadiq, email: tasleem.sadiq@local.gov.uk
To book a place contact: Jane Pattullo, email: lgid@event-x.com
TASC view on reablement in WM
An overview of local authority progress in developing reablement services in the West Midlands can be found in the TASC Centred Summit report – Delivering Putting People First in the West Midlands.
The publication also contains case studies.
Read more
The publication also contains case studies.
Read more
Reablement for dementia sufferer – a case study
Nancy has dementia and is supported by Staffordshire Social Care and Health. Her care plan is dependent on the effective use of assistive technology which allows her to remain independent and in her own home.
What was the issue?
Nancy is a white British female, 71 years old. She lives alone in a flat within a sheltered housing complex; she has lived there for the last 15 years and does not wish to move anywhere. Nancy has been diagnosed with dementia and her short term memory is very poor. She has home care support to manage her personal care, nutritional and medication needs as well as providing reassurance, reorientation and supervision due her memory difficulties.
Nancy has good support from her daughter who helps with carrying out most personal and practical tasks as well as reassuring her mother when she is anxious or distressed.
The initial request made to Staffordshire Social Care and Health Burton was for an assessment for long term care because Nancy has been waking up in the night, confused and disorientated, and frequently phoned the police. She was not aware of what she was doing and becomes particularly anxious when unable to recall information.
What did we do about it?
Following the initial assessment visit Nancy was referred to her GP to review her current medication and to the Community Mental Health Team for assessment of her mental health. She was also referred to telecare to be assessed for assistive technology.
Telecare initially provided Nancy with equipment to aid her memory and monitored the situation to see which aids were effective. She now has a bed sensor to detect when she gets up at night. The sensor alerts a call centre if she is away from her bed for more than 15 minutes at a time. A call centre worker will call her offering reassurance and encouragement to go back to bed.
Telecare has also installed a new three button only telephone in Nancy’s home. It has been programmed to connect to just her daughter and the First Call call centre.
Nancy was also assessed as needing social stimulation and activity throughout the day to keep her occupied, and company to reduce the likelihood of her getting worried and distressed when alone. She now attends day care.
What difference did this make?
At the 6 week review Nancy and daughter said they were pleased with the current care package and the support provided. With the involvement of other professionals we can monitor changes to her physical and mental health more effectively.
Use of day care facilities and assistive technology has helped Nancy to remain in her own home and prevent admission to long term care.
What are we going to do next?
We will continue to monitor and reassess the situation while working closely with other professionals involved in Nancy’s care, to ensure she is able to remain living independently in her own home for as long as possible.
Contact: Amtyaz Bibi, Staffordshire Social Care and Health Burton, telephone 01283 239888
Read more
What was the issue?
Nancy is a white British female, 71 years old. She lives alone in a flat within a sheltered housing complex; she has lived there for the last 15 years and does not wish to move anywhere. Nancy has been diagnosed with dementia and her short term memory is very poor. She has home care support to manage her personal care, nutritional and medication needs as well as providing reassurance, reorientation and supervision due her memory difficulties.
Nancy has good support from her daughter who helps with carrying out most personal and practical tasks as well as reassuring her mother when she is anxious or distressed.
The initial request made to Staffordshire Social Care and Health Burton was for an assessment for long term care because Nancy has been waking up in the night, confused and disorientated, and frequently phoned the police. She was not aware of what she was doing and becomes particularly anxious when unable to recall information.
What did we do about it?
Following the initial assessment visit Nancy was referred to her GP to review her current medication and to the Community Mental Health Team for assessment of her mental health. She was also referred to telecare to be assessed for assistive technology.
Telecare initially provided Nancy with equipment to aid her memory and monitored the situation to see which aids were effective. She now has a bed sensor to detect when she gets up at night. The sensor alerts a call centre if she is away from her bed for more than 15 minutes at a time. A call centre worker will call her offering reassurance and encouragement to go back to bed.
Telecare has also installed a new three button only telephone in Nancy’s home. It has been programmed to connect to just her daughter and the First Call call centre.
Nancy was also assessed as needing social stimulation and activity throughout the day to keep her occupied, and company to reduce the likelihood of her getting worried and distressed when alone. She now attends day care.
What difference did this make?
At the 6 week review Nancy and daughter said they were pleased with the current care package and the support provided. With the involvement of other professionals we can monitor changes to her physical and mental health more effectively.
Use of day care facilities and assistive technology has helped Nancy to remain in her own home and prevent admission to long term care.
What are we going to do next?
We will continue to monitor and reassess the situation while working closely with other professionals involved in Nancy’s care, to ensure she is able to remain living independently in her own home for as long as possible.
Contact: Amtyaz Bibi, Staffordshire Social Care and Health Burton, telephone 01283 239888
Read more
Peer assessors gain recognition
Current and former service users, carers and their representatives have been trained by Walsall Council as peer assessors who find out what service users think about housing related support services.
The assessors are all volunteers and fully trained. Their role is to consult with service users during service reviews so their feedback can be used to shape what is offered in the future.
Last year, 96% of the housing based support services reviewed included contributions from peer assessors.
The scheme was a finalist in the 2010 West Midlands Tenants Participation Advisory Service Awards; it will be rolled out across adult social care and health contracts managed by the Joint Commissioning Unit.
Contact: Alicia Wood, telephone: 01922 605452, email: woodalicia@walsall.gov.uk
The assessors are all volunteers and fully trained. Their role is to consult with service users during service reviews so their feedback can be used to shape what is offered in the future.
Last year, 96% of the housing based support services reviewed included contributions from peer assessors.
The scheme was a finalist in the 2010 West Midlands Tenants Participation Advisory Service Awards; it will be rolled out across adult social care and health contracts managed by the Joint Commissioning Unit.
Contact: Alicia Wood, telephone: 01922 605452, email: woodalicia@walsall.gov.uk
PPF talks lead to concrete recommendations
A series of recommendations have been made following completion of a project examining how local authorities might meet growing needs and demands resulting from personalisation of social care services.
Managed by consultancy Mobius UK, and jointly funded by Improvement and Efficiency West Midlands (IEWM), and Department of Health West Midlands, the Putting People First (PPF) dialogue project brought together service commissioners and providers to:
Contact: Rob Williams, email: rob@mobiusuk.org, mobile: 07740 704490.
Managed by consultancy Mobius UK, and jointly funded by Improvement and Efficiency West Midlands (IEWM), and Department of Health West Midlands, the Putting People First (PPF) dialogue project brought together service commissioners and providers to:
- improve understanding of each others’ needs
- understand the implications for commissioning
- identify potential opportunities for providers
- influence and shape the emerging personalisation markets.
- development of a formal partnership with providers that will lead to a strategic approach to market shaping across the region.
- explore opportunities for specific regional initiatives such as standardised approaches to tenders and contracts
- convene on a regular basis a social care dialogue group that more widely reflects the region
- carry out more diverse stakeholder engagement that includes for example, health, housing and the third sector
- consider similar dialogue at a more localised level to include more local people.
Contact: Rob Williams, email: rob@mobiusuk.org, mobile: 07740 704490.
Excellence award for Care Funding Calculator
The Care Funding Calculator, a tool used by councils and PCTs to manage the cost of buying adult care placements, has won the prestigious ‘Excellence in Commissioning’ award at the West Midlands Health and Social Care Awards.
Funded by Improvement and Efficiency West Midlands, the calculator has now been shortlisted for the final round of the national Health and Social Care Awards taking place in November.
The tool has so far delivered £3.84 million in efficiencies across the region by securing more competitive costs for residential care and supported living for adults with learning disabilities.
Read more
Funded by Improvement and Efficiency West Midlands, the calculator has now been shortlisted for the final round of the national Health and Social Care Awards taking place in November.
The tool has so far delivered £3.84 million in efficiencies across the region by securing more competitive costs for residential care and supported living for adults with learning disabilities.
Read more
New timetable for social care reform
Proposed actions and the timetable for continued reform of adult social care can be found in the Department of Health Draft Structural Reform Plan.
Section five of the plan details time scales, actions and milestones based on government’s commitment to:
The plan is subject to the autumn Spending Review and government priorities for reducing the national deficit.
Read more
Section five of the plan details time scales, actions and milestones based on government’s commitment to:
- enable people needing care to be treated with dignity and respect
- reform the system of social care providing more control to individuals and their carers
- ease the cost burden that they and their families face
The plan is subject to the autumn Spending Review and government priorities for reducing the national deficit.
Read more
Automated pill dispenser 1st phase results
Early results from some of the automated pill dispenser pilot sites have shown a marked increase in efficiency and a decline in use of health and care services.
The pilot was established to gather evidence to support wider use of the device across the region, as part of JIP’s drive to encourage the use of technology in helping people regain control over their lives.
The dispenser is loaded with medication by a pharmacist and automatically reminds people to take their pills when its inbuilt alarm rings.
The first twelve people in the Dudley and Staffordshire areas have completed their six month pilot period.
Total cost of the service in the two areas was £80 for each device and £120 to dispense and load the device with tablets for the trial period, amounting to £200 per person and £2,000 in total.
During this time there were measurable decreases in GP visits, ambulance call outs, hospital stays due to medication errors, domiciliary care packages and respite care.
Total financial impact was a decrease in service costs of £39,000. This represents a return of £19.50 for each pound invested.
More results from other pilot sites will be available in November 2010.
Contact: Andy Jackson, Regional Project Manager, email: andy.jackson28@ntlworld.com
Telephone: 07815 073 611.
Read more
The pilot was established to gather evidence to support wider use of the device across the region, as part of JIP’s drive to encourage the use of technology in helping people regain control over their lives.
The dispenser is loaded with medication by a pharmacist and automatically reminds people to take their pills when its inbuilt alarm rings.
The first twelve people in the Dudley and Staffordshire areas have completed their six month pilot period.
Total cost of the service in the two areas was £80 for each device and £120 to dispense and load the device with tablets for the trial period, amounting to £200 per person and £2,000 in total.
During this time there were measurable decreases in GP visits, ambulance call outs, hospital stays due to medication errors, domiciliary care packages and respite care.
Total financial impact was a decrease in service costs of £39,000. This represents a return of £19.50 for each pound invested.
More results from other pilot sites will be available in November 2010.
Contact: Andy Jackson, Regional Project Manager, email: andy.jackson28@ntlworld.com
Telephone: 07815 073 611.
Read more
Expanding the scope of telecare
The JIP is offering top level practical and strategic support to councils seeking to expand the scope of their telecare services.
The partnership has set up a support programme for local authorities in the region to:
Read more
The partnership has set up a support programme for local authorities in the region to:
- develop their telecare strategies and links with telehealth
- strengthen the infrastructure and resources for telecare within authorities
- adopt where appropriate the CSED programme Telecare Modelling Toolkit
- use collaborative procurement across the region
- scope, design and execute pilots in client group sectors including people with dementia living in the community; carers supporting people with dementia; people with learning disabilities; and older people living in extra care sheltered housing schemes.
Read more
Providing support in partnership
A cross authority housing and support service has been set up by Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Walsall and Dudley local authorities.
Known as the Birmingham and Black Country Cross Authority Accommodation Project, the service is run by Midland Heart and caters for single people aged 18 and over.
It provides accommodation and support for up to 20 service users. Ten units providing 24 hour support are based in Birmingham, four partially supported units are located in Walsall and Dudley with a further two in Wolverhampton, and 32 units in which floating support is available are situated throughout the four geographical areas.
Each services user has a support plan covering their needs and a risk assessment determining the level of support they need to maximise their independence and help them achieve their goals.
Contact: Claire Hammonds, telephone: 01922 602438, email: hammondc@walsall.gov.uk
Known as the Birmingham and Black Country Cross Authority Accommodation Project, the service is run by Midland Heart and caters for single people aged 18 and over.
It provides accommodation and support for up to 20 service users. Ten units providing 24 hour support are based in Birmingham, four partially supported units are located in Walsall and Dudley with a further two in Wolverhampton, and 32 units in which floating support is available are situated throughout the four geographical areas.
Each services user has a support plan covering their needs and a risk assessment determining the level of support they need to maximise their independence and help them achieve their goals.
Contact: Claire Hammonds, telephone: 01922 602438, email: hammondc@walsall.gov.uk
From rehabilitation to the community
Stoke-on-Trent Adult Social Care, Health and Communities directorate has successfully transformed its support service for stroke patients following its redesign of the Stroke Care Pathway, the process used to move patients from rehabilitation back to living in the wider community.
Transformation objectives were to:
Changes have led to:
Staff have also benefited from new personal development opportunities, less paper work and access to an up to date database on the ward and in the community.
The next stage involves giving more health staff access to the database, and employment of a Stroke Liaison Officer who will be responsible for rolling out joint training programmes across health and social care.
Contact: jill.broomhall@stoke.gov.uk
Transformation objectives were to:
- establish a Community Stroke Team delivering services based on a hub and spoke model
- develop integrated personalised health and social care centres
- improve the quality of life for stroke survivors
Changes have led to:
- contact made with the hospital after admission to facilitate early discharge and ensure continuity of care in the community
- appropriate equipment or adjustments made at home at an early stage speeding up hospital discharge times
- a named contact person who will organise a range of support
- services designed to help individuals adjust to the physical and emotional effects of a stroke
- people receiving support from social care staff who have received specialist training and have regular contact with health colleagues specialising in rehabilitation services.
Staff have also benefited from new personal development opportunities, less paper work and access to an up to date database on the ward and in the community.
The next stage involves giving more health staff access to the database, and employment of a Stroke Liaison Officer who will be responsible for rolling out joint training programmes across health and social care.
Contact: jill.broomhall@stoke.gov.uk
Taking technology on the road
Road shows promoting assistive technology and the range of devices available to help people in their day to day lives are being held across Staffordshire.
The shows have been organised in response to residents asking for clearer information about what is available and where devices can be obtained.
Over 100 people attended one of the events held in Audley Village, North Staffordshire, where gadgets ranging from automatic pill dispensers to bath aids and jam jar openers were available for them to try.
In keeping with the theme of reablement and prevention, Staffordshire Fire Service were on hand to test electric blankets and provide risk reduction advice, along with Staffordshire trading standards, the police, and housing services giving information on community safety, avoiding rogue traders, home improvements and telecare services.
Contact: Jim Ellam, email: jim.ellam@staffordshire.gov.uk .
The shows have been organised in response to residents asking for clearer information about what is available and where devices can be obtained.
Over 100 people attended one of the events held in Audley Village, North Staffordshire, where gadgets ranging from automatic pill dispensers to bath aids and jam jar openers were available for them to try.
In keeping with the theme of reablement and prevention, Staffordshire Fire Service were on hand to test electric blankets and provide risk reduction advice, along with Staffordshire trading standards, the police, and housing services giving information on community safety, avoiding rogue traders, home improvements and telecare services.
Contact: Jim Ellam, email: jim.ellam@staffordshire.gov.uk .
Reablement roll out
Staffordshire is set to roll out its new Community Reablement Service in April 2011.
Initial results from the site areas are comparable with national findings and reveal:
The council aims to achieve 55% upwards of people no longer requiring care when the service is fully implemented, placing it in the best performing category of councils.
Key elements of the project include:
Workforce - flexible, helping to shape the new service, changing mindset and workplace culture.
Service philosophy – reablement and empowerment of service users, keeping individuals out of the care system, reduce dependency on the NHS and social care, and align services to personalisation.
Commissioning approach – align to the county’s Joint Commissioning Unit reprovision programme, operate on an integrated service model, shaping new social care markets, encourage adoption of the reablement philosophy.
Contact: Jim Ellam, email: jim.ellam@staffordshire.gov.uk .
In preparation, four developments sites have been set up to trial approaches to reablement and test new ways of working as part of personalisation of services and integrating health with social care. The project is supported by CSED.
Initial results from the site areas are comparable with national findings and reveal:
- 41% of service users require no further care package
- 28% of users requiring a reduced care package
The council aims to achieve 55% upwards of people no longer requiring care when the service is fully implemented, placing it in the best performing category of councils.
Key elements of the project include:
Workforce - flexible, helping to shape the new service, changing mindset and workplace culture.
Service philosophy – reablement and empowerment of service users, keeping individuals out of the care system, reduce dependency on the NHS and social care, and align services to personalisation.
Commissioning approach – align to the county’s Joint Commissioning Unit reprovision programme, operate on an integrated service model, shaping new social care markets, encourage adoption of the reablement philosophy.
Contact: Jim Ellam, email: jim.ellam@staffordshire.gov.uk .
Reablement shows real results in Wolves
Early results from Wolverhampton’s reablement service pilot show 70% of people are leaving the service without need for further social care support.
The remaining 30% go on to receive a limited package of support.The pilot was set up with the help of Improvement and Efficiency West Midlands, and the Joint Improvement Partnership, to test the feasibility of providing a dedicated reablement service.
Staff from the in house domiciliary care team volunteered to take part in the project and received training to deliver reablement focused services alongside social workers and occupational therapists.
The purpose is to identify the appropriate scale and scope of future provision, and provide the means to measure and capture benefits.
If successful, the pilot will be used as the basis for developing a dedicated service. Its scope will be widened to include people with dementia, learning disabilities, physical and sensory impairment and mental health services.
Contact: Tony Rooke, Programme Manager, PPF, email: tony.rooke@wolverhampton.gov.uk ;
telephone:(01902) 550281.
The remaining 30% go on to receive a limited package of support.The pilot was set up with the help of Improvement and Efficiency West Midlands, and the Joint Improvement Partnership, to test the feasibility of providing a dedicated reablement service.
Staff from the in house domiciliary care team volunteered to take part in the project and received training to deliver reablement focused services alongside social workers and occupational therapists.
The purpose is to identify the appropriate scale and scope of future provision, and provide the means to measure and capture benefits.
If successful, the pilot will be used as the basis for developing a dedicated service. Its scope will be widened to include people with dementia, learning disabilities, physical and sensory impairment and mental health services.
Contact: Tony Rooke, Programme Manager, PPF, email: tony.rooke@wolverhampton.gov.uk ;
telephone:(01902) 550281.
CSED steps up reablement drive
Twelve of the region’s local authorities are working with CSED on developing their reablement services.
The DH led CSED programme helps councils find ways of improving the quality and delivery of care by adopting better ways of working, seeking greater value for money and sharing best practice.
One of its projects, the Reablement Service Development Programme, supports councils’ efforts to establish and improve their reablement services.
Reablement entails intensive short term support - usually no more than six weeks – for people with poor physical or mental health.
Delivered by teams of home care assistants, occupational therapists and social workers; service users learn or relearn skills impaired by illness. Support covers all aspects of personal care and routine activities such as making a cup of tea, using a microwave, or making a phone call.
The aim of the programme is to reduce the number of people requiring ongoing support and improve their level of independence.
By the end of March 2011, councils in the West Midlands are expected to:
CSED’s reablement specialists in the West Midlands are:
The DH led CSED programme helps councils find ways of improving the quality and delivery of care by adopting better ways of working, seeking greater value for money and sharing best practice.
One of its projects, the Reablement Service Development Programme, supports councils’ efforts to establish and improve their reablement services.
Reablement entails intensive short term support - usually no more than six weeks – for people with poor physical or mental health.
Delivered by teams of home care assistants, occupational therapists and social workers; service users learn or relearn skills impaired by illness. Support covers all aspects of personal care and routine activities such as making a cup of tea, using a microwave, or making a phone call.
The aim of the programme is to reduce the number of people requiring ongoing support and improve their level of independence.
By the end of March 2011, councils in the West Midlands are expected to:
- route 95% of referrals through reablement
- reach the 60% target of service users no longer needing ongoing support
- reduce by 40% ongoing support to the remaining 40% of service users
- spend on average £2,000 per head on reablement services – current cost of home support averages £6,000 per head each year.
- Success will be measured by:
- improved quality of life for the individual with increased choice and control
- the increase in numbers of people who receive reablement no longer requiring ongoing support
- the increase in referrals who receive reablement support
- reduction in spending on home and residential support.
CSED’s reablement specialists in the West Midlands are:
Simon Pickford, email: Simon.Pickford@dh.gsi.gov.uk, mobile: 07920 814129.
JIP e-bulletin No 16
Welcome
Tony Oakman
When the new government announced plans earlier this year to continue the transformation of adult social care, emphasis was put on encouraging prevention, reablement and personalisation as a way of reducing dependency on the care services, and keep people healthier and independent in their own homes for longer.
The JIP works closely with the DH led Care Services Efficiency Delivery (CSED) programme, to help local authorities increase the range and use of reablement services with the purpose of:- preventing hospital admissions
- speeding up discharge from hospitals
- reducing the need for home care
- helping people to be as independent as possible and regain daily living skills helping people living in residential or nursing homes who would like to return to live in their own home.
Spending on home support averages £6,000 per head each year. With current requirements for local authorities to reduce public spending, and growing pressure to meet the needs of a rapidly increasing ageing population, reablement and preventative services present a cost effective and efficient approach to caring for older vulnerable adults.
Tony Oakman
Director of Adult Social Care
Health and Community
Stoke on Trent City Council
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