To reflect on the health and social care sector’s response to Covid-19.

To be briefed on the continuing efforts around COVID19 within the sector.

(Note:  representatives from the Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust (the ICO) and Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) have been invited to attend the meeting for this item.)

The Board considered the submitted report and received a presentation from Cathy Williams and Shelly Machin, System Directors for Torbay from the Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust and Jo Turl, Director of Communications from the NHS Devon Clinical Commissioning Group in respect of the health and social care response to the corona virus.  Some of the key themes were:

·         COVID-19 had highlighted the benefits of the Integrated Care Organisation (ICO) model and the strength of working in partnership for example Torbay Council, the voluntary sector, the business and community working together on providing the Shielding Hub.

·         Teams and services across the ICO had shown remarkable levels of compassion, collaboration and agility.

·         The professionalism and integrity of all staff had been inspiring and humbling.

·         New ways of working using technology had been successful (e.g. video conferencing, e-consultations and telephone consultations).  It was intended they would be continued without losing the ability for face to face interactions with patients when appropriate to ensure that they receive the care and services they need.

·         There had been a high level of engagement and collaboration between services and the voluntary and community sector.

·         The organisations had developed their ability to work together and broken down barriers and feel in a good position to react to future challenges together.

Resolved (unanimously):

(i)         that the Board noted the summary of arrangements for planning for and responding to the COVID-19 emergency and plans for restoration and transformation of services within the health and care system;

(ii)        the Board noted the commitment and achievements of all health and care staff during the pandemic;

(iii)       that the Board’s thanks and appreciation be passed on to the ICO, Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), Council, voluntary, community and business sectors and all others involved for their joined up approach in supporting the people of Torbay in response to COVID-19 and that their success should be celebrated; and

(iv)       that the ICO model be put forward as national best practice and the Leader of the Council be requested to write to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to highlight this.

To consider the outcome of the above review.

(Note:  representatives from the Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust (the ICO) have been invited to attend the meeting for this item.)

Jacqui Phare, System Director of Nursing and Professional Practice from the Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust presented the report of the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) findings on their review of the Trust and highlighted the actions being taken to address the issues raised. 

It was highlighted a number of the issues raised had already been able to be addressed due to restrictions during COVID-19, such as rearranging access to services to reduce the need for patients to go through Accident and Emergency to access other services and telephone or e-consults to prevent the need for some patients to come into the hospital for some appointments.  Many of the problems related to the age of the hospital’s buildings and infrastructure and longer term this would be improved through the HIP2 programme (to be implemented in the next 7 to 10 years).  However it was noted, the Trust acknowledged the need to ensure that the hospital estate was fit for purpose prior to the CQC’s review.  The Trust had applied for Government funding as part of COVID-19 and were awaiting confirmation if it had been successful.

Members noted the actions emerging from the report to address improvements including:

·         Mandatory and essential training;

·         Staff appraisals;

·         Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act;

·         Equipment checking and servicing;

·         Information systems;

·         Governance processes;

·         Estate – environment and storage;

The Board noted the findings of the report and the actions being taken by the Trust to address them.

To consider the submitted report and any recommendations to the Cabinet.

The Board received the submitted report on a high level budget summary of the Council’s forecasted revenue and capital income and expenditure for period 2 of the 2020/21 financial year.  It was noted the report had been presented to the Cabinet at its meeting held on 14 July 2020.

Members noted that, since the report had been written additional Government Funding had been received taking this up to £10.4m.  The Board questioned the overspend of £2.8m in Adult Services.  The Board was informed that this related to the Government Funding which was immediately transferred to the Integrated Care Organisation, who in turn passed the funding onto providers to meet the costs of staffing and for PPE and was noted that this was not an unplanned spend or cost.  It was reported that where such variances appear in future reports a footnote explanation would be included to provide clarity on what the expenditure was for.

The Board acknowledged and praised the success of Children’s Services in reducing out of area residential places and costs for children, which contributed towards a projected underspend of £1.5m for Children’s Services.  However, it was noted that this could change as a result of COVID-19 and the impact of potential job loses once the furlough scheme reduces/ends.

Members discussed the COVID-19 funding support provided by the Government e.g. 75% of sales fees and charges shortfall.  Concern was raised that no financial support was available to offset the £5.2m projected loss to the collection fund (the Council was only able to role this debt over for the next three years) and the lack of funding available to support Torbay’s two leisure centres.  It was agreed the Board would review the situation when considering the next budget monitoring report to see if there had been any changes in respect of funding for these areas.