Agenda item

Mr M Chatfield (Operations Analytics and Systems Manager) was in attendance for this item

(1)        Mr Chatfield introduced the report which provided an oversight of Adult Social Care activity during and since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Officers then responded to a number of comments and questions from Members, including the following: -

a)    Mr Smith referred to the winter plan and the issues of self-isolation in care homes and individuals not being able to be discharged out of hospital and said that one of the requirements within the winter plan was for the local authority, Public Health colleagues and the NHS to work with the CQC to put arrangements in place locally to ensure that people who were discharged out of hospital with a positive test for Covid-19 could be kept safe and in an appropriate environment. He added that Kent County Council continued to support the sector and reassured the Committee that each care home had an Infection Control nurse and a robust plan that was reported through the cell.

b)    Mr Smith referred to the issue of ongoing financial support for the sector and said that the topic would be focused on heavily over coming months as the Covid-19 situation continued to evolve. In relation to the additional pressures throughout the winter, Kent County Council would continue to work closely with the NHS and CCGs. He added that the ASC budget at present was sufficient to meet current demand, any additional demand would need to be supported and financed through the winter monies and through working with health colleagues.

c)    Mr Smith reminded Committee Members that they should contact Mr Scott-Clark (Director of Public Health) or himself if they had concerns which related to specific care homes.

d)    Mr Chatfield stated that he would provide further information to Committee Members outside of the meeting in relation to the number of clients that had left residential care.

e)    Mr Smith stated that the winter plan from government had been published on 26^th September 2020. He added that he would circulate the relevant link to the plan to Committee Members outside of the meeting.

f)     Mr Smith said that the Council’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic was a long-term response and the winter plan covered up until March 2021. There was provision within the infection control element of the plan for care homes not to have staff travelling between different places and that they could be paid whilst they were isolating. As well as promoting the use of technology, the Council were continuing to work with providers through Kent Integrated Care Alliance (KICA) and trade associations to ensure that they had all that they need in these unprecedented times. The winter plan also provided Mr Scott-Clark with the ability to restrict care home visits if necessary. Visitation restrictions within care homes would only ever be necessary following a dynamic risk assessment and in the best interests and needs of people within the care homes.

g)    Mr Chatfield referred to enablement services and said that there had not been a significant increase in numbers but an increase in the amount of time that carers had spent with clients.

(2)        The Chairman suggested that an update in relation to Winter Planning be added to the work programme for discussion at the upcoming agenda setting meeting. Members of the Committee supported this.

(3)        RESOLVED that the report be noted.