Issue - meetings

That Members note the completed and ongoing actions in response to the Audit Wales report.

The Senior Manager (Safeguarding and Commissioning) presented an update on the review of Commissioning of Older People’s Care Home Placements by North Wales Councils and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB), following the initial report considered in September 2022.  She detailed progress with actions across North Wales to address each of the five recommendations by Audit Wales, as set out in the report.

The Chairman commented on recent concerns raised by Audit Wales about BCUHB and was told that robust working relationships were in place with the Council to implement actions.

Sally Ellis gave a reminder that the Committee had requested that the update on actions include those relating to Welsh Government (WG), to give assurance on progress.  Carwyn Rees advised that the expectation was for those actions to be subject to the WG formal committee process, similar to reporting arrangements in councils.  On a further question, the Senior Manager said that whilst the report focussed on processes and commissioning efficiencies, there was a strong quality framework already in place including working with providers to identify improvements to benefit service users and escalation arrangements to address any inadequacies.

As requested by Councillor Bernie Attridge, the Senior Manager agreed to provide current data on delayed discharges in Flintshire which was also a significant challenge across the UK.  Whilst speaking about the impact of widespread recruitment issues particularly in domiciliary care, she referred to the successful development of the micro-care programme which was welcomed by Members.

On the same topic, Rev Brian Harvey was informed of the long-term aim to recruit more Welsh speakers along with the range of initiatives to recruit and retain care workers to meet rising demand.

Councillor Glyn Banks suggested that a follow-up report be scheduled and that the recommendation reflect that some actions were ongoing.  He commented on the need for WG to set realistic deadlines to increase the number of Welsh speakers over the longer term.  When asked, the Senior Manager gave examples of arrangements within social services’ settings to fulfil responsibilities on the Welsh language.

In response to a question from Councillor Andrew Parkhurst, information was shared on support arrangements for the micro-carer programme which provided resilience across communities.

The recommendation, as amended, was moved and seconded by Rev Brian Harvey and Councillor Bernie Attridge.

RESOLVED:

That Members note the completed and ongoing actions in response to the Audit Wales report.