Agenda item

(1)        Clair Bell (Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health) gave a verbal update on the following issues:

a)        Recent Visits and Events

·                02 October 2019 – Mrs Bell visited Chamberlain Manor Extra Care Accommodation, Ashford

·                08 October 2019 – Mrs Bell visited Minnis Community Hub, Birchington

·                11 October 2019 – Mrs Bell attended and spoke at the Kent Dementia Action Alliance Awards Ceremony

·                29 October 2019 – Mrs Bell visited Fairlawn Children’s Short Break unit, Ashford

·                29 October 2019 – Mrs Bell visited The Nest, Ashford

·                4 November 2019 – Mrs Bell attended the Local Government Association’s Digital Showcase Conference, London

·                7 November 2019 – Mrs Bell visited Gravesham Place Integrated Care Centre, Gravesend

·                14 November 2019 – Members of the Adult Social Care Committee visited the new Harmonia Dementia Village, Dover

·                18 November 2019 – Mrs Bell visited Southfields Adult Short Break Short Break unit, Ashford

·                18 November 2019 – Mrs Bell visited Involve Kent (Community Navigation & Carers), Ashford

·                19-21 November 2019 – Mrs Bell attended the National Children’s and Adults Conference, Bournemouth

b)       Kent’s new Domiciliary-based Neighbourhood Care team

Mrs Bell referred to the Dutch community, nursing and care model ‘Buurtzorg’ which had recently been trialled in Kent and said that Kent’s Design & Learning Centre had led the project, whilst working in partnership with the Kent Community Health Foundation Trust and Community Health developing Community Nursing teams. From 2^nd December 2019, a Domiciliary-based Neighbourhood Care team would be formed in Ashford, working closely with the Primary Care Network. The Domiciliary-based Neighbourhood Care team would consist of occupational therapists, enablement workers and care workers, all working flexibly and connecting with communities in Kent.

c)            Update on the past consultations and developments in relation to the Minnis Community Hub, Birchington

Mrs Bell confirmed that the consultation which had been undertaken between September 2019 and November 2019 to seek the views of Community Hub users in relation to the future of Minnis Community Hub had ended. She added that a full report on the proposals would be presented to the Adult Social Care Cabinet Committee on 16 January 2020.

(2)        Penny Southern (Corporate Director of Adult Social Care and Health) gave a verbal update on the following issues:

a)               Proposed changes to Top Tier posts in Adult Social Care and Health Directorate

Mrs Southern confirmed that a consultation had been undertaken in relation to the proposed changes to the senior structure of Adult Social Care and Health. She added that further information would be shared with the Adult Social Care Cabinet Committee at the meeting on 16 January 2020.

b)              Kent Registered Manager Conference 2019

Mrs Southern attended the Kent Registered Manager Conference on 30^th October 2019, led by Kent County Council and the Design & Learning Centre. The conference provided updates to all registered managers, deputies, owners, nurses and senior staff in relation to Kent’s care sector. The CCG's also attended the conference to receive support and training to assist in improving the quality of care provided to communities in Kent. She added that Members of the Committee were welcome to attend future Kent Registered Manager Conferences.

c)               Porchlight 45^th Anniversary Conference – World Homeless and World Mental Health Day

Mrs Southern attended Porchlight’s 45^th anniversary conference on 10^th October 2019 which was also World Homelessness Day and World Mental Health Day. Mrs Southern emphasised the importance of attending and supporting such crucial events and said that the event had been well attended.

d)         Dementia Friendly Communities Awards Ceremony 2019

Mrs Southern had recently attended the Dementia Friendly Communities Awards Ceremony 2019 which showcased the achievements of individuals, groups and organisations across the UK who had led the way on creating dementia-friendly communities and improving the lives of everybody affected by dementia.

e)          Kent’s new d/Deaf and deafblind communication service launch

Mrs Southern announced that a new dedicated interpretation and communication service for d/Deaf, deafblind or hard of hearing Kent residents would launch on 3^rd December and would take place in the Lecture Theatre, Sessions House.

(3)        In response to a question, Mrs Southern provided more information in relation to the services that were provided by Minnis Community Hub, Birchington, and briefly outlined the proposals that would be set out within the report to be submitted to the Adult Social Care Cabinet Committee on 16 January 2020.

(4)        The Chairman also attended the Dementia Friendly Communities Awards Ceremony 2019 and congratulated Jackie West (Kent Community Service Warden) on receiving an award.

(5)        RESOLVED that the verbal updates be noted.