Agenda item

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Communities which provided the Members with an update on the progress of the dignity working group.

The Board was advised that providing dignity was a key safeguarding matter and the report highlighted what had been done to promote and protect people in the Borough. A fundamental element within it had involved the strengthening of the human rights based approach to Health and Social Care.

The Board was further advised that a partnership approach had been adopted and encompassed all organisations who work with vulnerable adults, including:

·              The Local Authority;

·              Halton & St Helens NHS;

·              Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS;

·              Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Trust;

·              St Helens and Knowsley Hospitals NHS Trust;

·              5 Boroughs Partnership Foundation NHS Trust;

·              Independent Providers;

·              The Voluntary Sector; and

·              The Community Sector.

A wider network had also been established to encourage organisations, groups and individuals to promote and encourage people to address the rights of individuals.

The report provided examples of how the group were approaching issues surrounding dignity and future work plans.

After considerable discussion, the Board agreed that a report on the services care agencies provide for residents of the Borough and the services provided for people cared for in their own homes would be presented to the next meeting.

The following comments arose from the discussion:-

·        Clarity was sought on how the care agencies were monitored. In response, it was reported that agencies were monitored by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and the Council’s Quality Assurance Team who had established robust procedures to ensure establishments and services provided were safe for residents of the Borough;

·        A Member of the Board expressed concern at the quality of care a relative had received at Halton Hospital and indicated that he was in the process of writing a letter of complaint.  He stated that the standards were not adequate and the situation could deteriorate as the changes and budget cuts progressed.  In response, it was reported that relatives could make a complaint via PALS at the hospital.  In addition, concerns could be raised with the Dignity Co-ordinator who could refer the complaint to the appropriate department / agency;

·        Clarity was sought on how often the CQC undertook Inspections on establishments.  In response, it was reported that there were two types of inspections undertaken; one by the Council’s Quality Assurance Team and one by the CQC to ensure that they met certain standards.  In addition, it was reported that the duty to inspect was taken very seriously; and

·        Clarity was sought on why the CQC had reduced the number of inspections in comparison to previous years.  In response, it was reported that the CQC had previously been downsized and as a result the inspection programme had been amended and they had moved to a prioritisation system.  However, recently, a number of high profile cases had highlighted that this was placing vulnerable people to additional risk.  In light of this, it was recently announced that their Inspection regime would be intensified.

In conclusion, the Members of the Board were informed about the Inspections to Halton care homes and services and in the future Members would be involved in visiting. It was reported that those Members of the PPB who would like to be included on the list should inform Paul McWade. In addition, it was also reported that appropriate training would be provided to assist Members in this process.

RESOLVED: That the report and comments raised be noted.