Issue - meetings

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, People, on the recommendations of the Health Policy and Performance Board (PPB) Scrutiny Review of Carer Services 2016/17.

Members were advised that the Health PPB decided to focus their review on the responsibilities of the Council to carers under the Care Act, the role of Halton Carers Centre and the role of NHS Halton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

Appendix 1 outlined the evidence gathered by the Topic Group from a range of partners in relation to services provided to carers in Halton.

The following recommendations were made following the review:

·       There should be a continued focus on provision of information and support at the right time for the carer, to avoid carer breakdown and use of high cost services;

·       Continued efforts to engage with people currently hidden from carer services;

·       A renewed focus on relationships with health, in particular the hospitals, to encourage identification and support of carers;

·       Assessment of long term carers’ needs at regular intervals;

·       Involving carers in co-produced service development;

·       Ensure that within carer provision there were a range of different interventions to meet diverse and changing needs of carers; and

·       Consider how access to carer’s services could be improved.

Further commentary on each recommendation was provided in the report. It was noted that the Health PPB had considered and endorsed the recommendations at its meeting on 7 February 2017.

          Councillor Joan Lowe, Chair of the Health PPB, dealt with Members’ questions and was then thanked for her attendance at the meeting.

          RESOLVED: That

1)    the contents of the report and appendices be noted; and

2)    the recommendations of the Health Policy and Performance Board be approved.