Agenda item

In accordance with Minute No. 77 of the meeting held on 10^th February, 2011, the Director of Health and Wellbeing submitted an update on progress to date and an evaluation of the current position. This report had previously been considered by the Cabinet Member for Adult Independence Health and Welbeing on 28^th February, 2011.

A number of significant changes had been made to the delivery of Assistive Technology (AT) that addressed the issues raised within the Scrutiny report which included:-

-        Appointment of a dedicated Assistive Technology Officer

-        Series of visioning events to facilitate the identification of difficulties that staff associated with the provision of AT

-        Establishment of a system to monitor and demonstrate the savings that AT could achieve

-        Change in emphasis during the assessment process

-        Identification of simple and direct access to equipment

-        Highlighting good news stories with an emphasis on outcome

-        Better use of available information

-        Prevention of avoidable admissions to hospital and the prevention/delay of admission to long term residential care

-        Provision of information and signposting

-        Direct involvement of staff in developing AT

-        Better use of resources

-        Better liaison with Rothercare

-        Development of benchmarking opportunities

Also, action had taken place on the recommendations raised in the report:-

-        Development of an AT Strategy within NAS with an action plan.  There were significant savings to be made by both the Council and NHS Rotherham and had been identified as the next major area for development

-        A database had been built up to demonstrate the financial savings that could be made from the provision of AT.  The next stage was to demonstrate that the provision of AT could lead to significantly improved outcomes for customers

-        A campaign to raise the profile of AT amongst customers, carers, staff and Members.  Case studies had been promoted to demonstrate the outcomes that were possible with AT

-        Discussions had commenced with major equipment suppliers to bring about a change in provision of lifeline units.  New lifeline units were now put in when the customer had extra equipment added rather than as part of a rolling programme.  This meant the units were fit for purpose

-        Allocation of AT was now the default option in every social care assessment that took place in Rotherham.  Social Workers now had to explain why they had not considered allocating AT and show the savings that they had made by allocating the equipment

-        Awareness raising campaign would focus around an AT week in March modelled around the success of previous weeks that had focussed on safeguarding adults and personalisation

The Director also gave a powerpoint presentation highlighting the above.

Discussion took place with the following issues raised/highlighted;-

o       There was the danger of a client having all the assistive technology but becoming socially isolated.  It was emphasised that assistive technology would not be provided in isolation; if people had care needs they would still receive help to maintain their independence

o       Most of the equipment was linked to Rothercare which was operational 24/7 and so could support in emergencies

o       There had been a significant demand for items of equipment, and should this demand continue, the budget would be under pressure.  However, given that AT on the whole helped to make savings on the cost of care, should there be pressure on the AT budget, there was still a strong business case for investing in AT

o       AT was part of the preventative agenda as well as independent living

o       Discussion about use of protective  clothing – such as hip defenders which could be preventative in nature

o       It was not felt that a separate AT Strategy was required.  Work was taking place with the NHS around some of the changes in funding and co-ordination of Health and the Authority’s technology.  There was a need for a Prevention Strategy of which AT would be a strand

Resolved:-  (1)  That the NAS response to the Scrutiny review be welcomed.

(2)  That the progress made in delivering assistive technology within Rotherham be noted.

(3)  That a further report be submitted in 6 months on the impact of the review.