Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Strategic Health and Adult Social Care Integration Lead and Urgent and Emergency Care Transformation Programme Director.

That:

1.    The system-wide work, that is being undertaken to transform urgent and emergency care services and to provide better outcomes for the residents of Dorset, be commended.

2.    The important role for Dorset Council as ‘Lead Partner’ and managing the contract with Newton, and the substantial financial benefits to the Council that will be achieved as a result of the transformation, be noted.

3.    Authority by delegated to the portfolio holder for adults in consultation with the Executive Director for Corporate Development and the Executive Director People – Adults to enter into the UEC Partnership Agreement on behalf of the Council.

Reason for the decision:

To support the improvement of urgent and emergency health and care outcomes for Dorset residents.

The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care introduced the report on the Urgent and Emergency Care Transformation Programme. The local health system had a higher number of acute hospital beds being occupied than the national average. Health and social care partners were delivering a Dorset system-wide transformation programme to improve access to help. The voluntary and community sector was included in the programme.

Members commented on the report and raised concerns about how this work would impact residents who access healthcare or hospitals in other counties. The Cabinet Member said that new ways of working for the council would apply to the whole council area, but the benefits for the NHS may not be felt across the council area. The Cabinet Member for Finance and Capital Strategy suggested starting conversations with Somerset and Wiltshire to make improvements for residents living near the county boarder.

Members emphasised the importance of the voluntary and community sector in being fundamental for the success of the programme. A member suggested that there should be consideration of including the sector in the partnership agreement.

In response to questions about the programme, the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care said it was a 2-year programme, with benefits being seen after 6 months. He said there were strong relationships with the NHS and was confident that there would be good rewards from the programme, due to its success elsewhere.

Proposed by Cllr S Robinson, seconded by Cllr C Sutton.

Decision:

That:

1.     The system-wide work, that is being undertaken to transform urgent and emergency care services and to provide better outcomes for the residents of Dorset, be commended.

2.     The important role for Dorset Council as ‘Lead Partner’ and managing the contract with Newton, and the substantial financial benefits to the Council that will be achieved as a result of the transformation, be noted.

3.     Authority by delegated to the portfolio holder for adults in consultation with the Executive Director for Corporate Development and the Executive Director People – Adults to enter into the UEC Partnership Agreement on behalf of the Council.