Issue - meetings

(a)          To look into the possibility of Apprentices working with the Team;

(b)          That a letter from the Committee be sent to the team congratulating them on their work;

(c)          That the Committee acknowledges the successful work of the NEWCES in support of hospital avoidance and safe return from hospital settings; and

(d)          That the Committee recognises the significant work undertaken in reusing equipment and cost avoidance savings for partners that supports the regional program.

The Chief Officer (Social Services) congratulated Councillor Woolley and Councillor McGuillon their appointments of Chair and Vice-Chair respectively and added that he and officers looked forward to working with this Committee as effectively as they had in the past before passing over to Senior Manager for Adults and the Operations Manager.

The Operations Manager introduced the report stating that the North East Wales Community Equipment Service (NEWCES) was formed in 2009 which was jointly funded by three partners being Wrexham County Borough Council, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and Flintshire County Council and has units in Hawarden and Queensferry.  Their purpose was to provide equipment to reduce hospital admissions and increase hospital discharges to enable people to cope independently in their own home.  He also advised that 93% of the items that they collected, when they were no longer needed, were refurbished and quality checked before being reused saving an estimated £2.2m per year.

Councillor Hilary McGuill thanked Jamie and his staff for the visit that morning around the Hawarden Unit and requested that the Committee recommend that apprentices be appointed, to avoid using contractors, which would make an even greater saving which was seconded by the Chair.

Councillor Mackie proposed that the Committee thank Jamie and his team for the visit and presentation which was seconded by the Chair and wanted to congratulate them on continuing to improve the facilities they provided in order to keep on saving money.

The Chief Officer (Social Services) thanked Members for their kind comments.

The recommendations within the report were moved by Councillor McGuill and seconded by Councillor Claydon.

RESOLVED:

(a)             To look into the possibility of Apprentices working with the Team;

(b)             That a letter from the Committee be sent to the team congratulating them on their work;

(c)             That the Committee acknowledges the successful work of the NEWCES in support of hospital avoidance and safe return from hospital settings; and

(d)             That the Committee recognises the significant work undertaken in reusing equipment and cost avoidance savings for partners that supports the regional program.