Issue - items at meetings - Transfer of Care from a Short Term Bed

Report of Director of Adult Social Services/Lead Commissioner People (copy attached).

(1)       That the Transfer of Care from a Short Term Bed policy and the implementation thereof, be agreed.

16.1    The Board considered a report of the Director of Adult Social Services/Lead Commissioner People which presented the Transfer of Care from a Short Bed Policy.  The policy sought to give clarity to the situation when a person was in a short term bed that no longer met their assessed need.  It also sought to make the process fair so all cases were resolved using the same principles that were captured in one policy. 

16.2    The Commissioning Manager explained that there had been a thorough consultation process and the policy had sought to ensure that people understood the process and moved from their short term bed in a timely way.   Paragraph 3.4 of the report related to guidance on how the process should be managed when a service user refused to move.  The Commissioning Manager stressed that this was a very rare occurrence.  

16.3    Janice Robinson remarked that the report was very clear but asked why the report was being submitted at this time.  She asked if the problem of people not leaving short term beds had increased.  The Commissioning Manager explained that the policy had been driven by new contractual arrangements.  There had not been an increase in people refusing to leave beds.   

16.4    George Mack asked for an explanation of paragraph 3.5. “If a person needs a care home it is important to note that they may have much more choice regarding which care home they will live in, after they have moved out of a short term bed.”  The Commissioning Manager explained that following the move from a short term bed a person would be re-abled to meet their full potential.  Some people might be able to go home, whilst others might need a care home place.  People would be given time to look for a care home place and might need to wait in a temporary care home while they looked for their long term home of choice.   

16.5    RESOLVED (1) That the Transfer of Care from a Short Term Bed policy and the implementation thereof, be agreed.

Note:  The recommendation above was agreed by the Adult Care & Health Committee held on 24 September 2012)

Report of Director of Adult Social Services/Lead Commissioner People (copy attached).

(1)       That the Transfer of Care from a Short Term bed policy and the implementation thereof, be approved.

18.1    The Committee considered a report of the Director of Adult Social Services/Lead Commissioner People which presented the Transfer of Care from a Short Bed Policy.  The policy sought to give clarity to the situation when a person is in a short term bed that no longer meets their assessed need.  It also sought to make the process fair so all cases were resolved using the same principles that are captured in one policy. 

18.2    The Head of Commissioning and Partnerships referred to paragraph 3.4 of the report which related to guidance on how the process should be managed when a service user refused to move.  She stressed that this was a very rare occurrence and had not happened to date.

18.3    Councillor Meadows welcomed the report and agreed that the policy was needed. 

18.4    Councillor Mears asked for details on the number of short term beds in the city.  She spoke about the problem of bed-blocking in the past and asked about the collaboration with the council’s partners in implementing the policy. 

18.5    The Head of Commissioning and Partnerships replied that there were around 70 short term beds in the city.  There had been a great emphasis in the past on discharging people out of hospital quickly.  There needed to be an emphasis on moving people to short term beds.  The council was working collaboratively with partners.  Delayed discharge from hospital in Brighton was at an all time low.  

18.6    The Director of Adult Social Care stated that the council were working with the Sussex Community Trust in cases that were covered by Section 75 arrangements.  The Council were also working with the Statutory Services Board.  Meanwhile, the NHS had a similar policy in place.

18.7    RESOLVED – (1)     That the Transfer of Care from a Short Term bed policy and the implementation thereof, be approved.