Issue - meetings

1.

Title of Item/Report

Scrutiny Review of Reablement Service - Final Report of Adult Social Care and Health Select Committee

2.

Record of the Decision

Consideration was given to a report that presented the outcomes of the Adult Social Care and Health Select Committee’s review of Reablement Service.

‘Reablement’ is a short period of rehabilitation which usually takes place in a person’s own home.

National evidence suggested that supporting early and safe discharge from hospital into a reablement-type service delivers better outcomes for individuals when compared to longer periods of hospitalisation or immediate transfer into care at home. It was also cost-effective for health and adult social care services, both reducing pressure on bed-capacity in hospitals and the need for large packages of ongoing community or residential or nursing care. Research had continued to evidence that most people prefer to remain in their own homes and communities.

Locally, the Reablement Service provided support for people with poor physical or mental health to help them manage their illness / condition by learning or re-learning the skills necessary for daily living (so that they can remain in the community). The service sought to ensure that people can maximise their independence when they need it, this can include both ‘step-up’ care (escalation of need for people already supported to live independently) as well as ‘step-down’ (to avoid hospital admission or ensure safe discharges). It also promoted and supported people to be more independent and reduce the need for long-term service provision for as long as possible.

The offer was provided free (as mandated by the Care Act 2014) for the person receiving support for up to a maximum of six weeks. A person with ongoing care and support needs following this six weeks would be financially assessed for their ongoing contribution to their care.

There were a number of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council (SBC) Powering Our Future (POF) projects that link to this review; ‘Supporting People to Live Independently’ and ‘Early Intervention and Prevention’. The final report produced by the Adult Social Care and Health Select Committee would be submitted to these workstreams for their awareness.

The aim for this review was to identify whether the Reablement Service offered by SBC was:

•         maximising independence for people being discharged from hospital and living in the community.

•         reducing the need for ongoing, more intensive support in people’s own homes and

reducing the need for admission into 24-hour care.

•         working effectively with NHS provision that supports people on a reablement pathway.

•         using technology as effectively as possible.

The Committee took evidence from key personnel from within the SBC Adults, Health and Wellbeing directorate, North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (NENC ICB), North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust (NTHFT), and the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector (via Catalyst). Peopletoo, commissioned by SBC to assist in assessing the impact of current ways of working and analyse the best  ...  view the full decision text for item 5.