Agenda item

(Questions may be submitted to be answered by the Scrutiny Committee, or Council officers who are attending the meeting as witnesses, on any item that is within the scope of the Committee. Please see the procedure for the submission of questions at the end of this agenda.)

Question posed by Mary Dwyer:

“Why is our NHS continuing to be reorganised whilst we are in a pandemic which is putting so many demands on it and all its staff?  These changes must take enormous amounts of time to organise and implement, as well as cost money, so surely a common-sense approach would be to stay as we are and look to positive changes in the future when the UK is through this extremely difficult time?”

Response of the CCG:

The draft Health and Care Bill is currently being taken through the Parliamentary process by Government and includes many recommendations made by NHS England.  The Bill outlines the creation of new Integrated Care Boards, which will replace clinical commissioning groups and have additional duties as part of a strengthened integrated care system (ICS).  There are strengthened arrangements in statute for the partnership across health and social care, as well as in our places and providers. 

The view of Joined Up Care Derbyshire is that these changes are broadly in line with work already underway in Derbyshire to transform care through ever-increasing collaboration.  It is true to say that the system is under considerable pressure at this time, and while we welcome the recently-announced three month extension to the implementation timetable to 1 July 2022, Derbyshire remains very well placed to see a smooth transition to the new statutory arrangements.  All changes remain subject to the successful passage of the Bill through the Parliamentary process in early 2022.

A supplementary question was asked:

“The pressures on hospitals due to bed blockages are ever growing.  I have heard that Derby Royal “bed blockage” is worse than ever and many care homes in Derby are not accepting any more discharge patients.  How much money and time is being diverted from sorting the problems now of resolving bed blocking and supporting care homes to establish the changes needed to set up the Derbyshire ICS?”

Ms Dwyer would receive a written response to this.

Question posed by M Jones:

“Given the pending closure of Babington Hospital, many Belper residents are understandably concerned about future health provision for the area.  With unprecedented demands on our NHS increased by Covid 19, might there not be a case for devolving care and services closer to home to ease pressure on Royal Derby and should this not also include the retention of nursed beds in the town? These would significantly reduce pressure on Derby when it comes to discharging patients into the community.  Therefore can we please be informed of the precise range of services which will be available across the community without increasing pressures on an already overstretched Royal Derby?”

Response from Derbyshire Community Health Service NHS Foundation Trust:

·        Future health provision in the area will be based on the building of a brand new community hub on the site of the old Belper Clinic. We are soon to be submitting a final planning application to the local planning authority. All existing services provided at Babington Hospital will be provided at the new building.

·        Previous consultation has concluded that the most appropriate way to provide bedded care for local residents was via an integrated approach with Derbyshire County Council at the new Ada Bellfield located on Derwent Street. The NHS & County Council provide Community Support Beds at this site with rehabilitation support & care provided. Should local people require hospital based rehabilitation this is available at other NHS Sites including St Oswalds at Ashbourne, Whitworth Hospital at Matlock & Ilkeston Hospital.

·        The NHS & County Council also provide integrated rehabilitation & care for people in their own homes.

·        The NHS & social care services are currently under incredible pressure at present due to the pandemic & winter pressures resulting in significant pressure on our workforce & other resources which is resulting in us not being able to provide the normal capacity we would aspire to. We are sorry about this but hope that the committee & public understand this.

·        It is also worth noting that DCHS are soon to announce a further public engagement to announce progress on planning for the new NHS health hub.

A supplementary question was asked:

“Could you list the benefits of moving from a CCG to ICS?”

Mr Jones would receive a written response to this.