Agenda item

That Members note, support and approve the content of the report and work carried out by the Occupational Therapy Services.

The OT Manager introduced the report and explained that Occupational Therapy was focused on what everyday people across every age range did in their everyday lives and supported them to remain as independent as possible.  She gave a brief overview of the different teams and services user groups they worked with, as set out in the report:-

·                     Locality

·                     Reablement

·                     Paediatrics

·                     Intake Team

In response to a question raised by Councillor Mackie, the Senior Manager for Adults advised that from a performance point of view, Flintshire had a superb track record for providing a comprehensive OT Service which was demonstrated by the fact that they had very few staff vacancies unlike in previous years.  She explained that people did not wait a long time for OT and advised that referrals were categorised into high, medium or low and dealt with accordingly.

Councillor Gladys Healey asked how long it took for equipment to be collected once it was no longer needed.  The Senior Manager for Adults explained that they were only able to collect equipment when they were notified that it was no longer required.  She stated that in the case of a bereavement, contacting them would be low down on people’s list which could lead to equipment not being collected. She advised Members that a significant amount of NEWCES equipment, which could easily be identified by the barcode, had been returned following an amnesty around charity shops.

            The Operations Manager added that Welsh Government had set a standard of a 14 day reaction time to collect equipment from notification which they had met 100%.  He also informed Members that if they were contacted after a bereavement and the equipment was causing distress then it was collected within 3 days.

            Councillor McGuill asked for an explanation on waiting lists for equipment and how they were reviewed.  The Senior Manager for Adults explained that when the Single Point of Access team (SPOA) were contacted for help a thorough assessment was carried out, which she advised could be time consuming as they needed to look at the whole picture which often identified other issues that could be improved upon.  She explained that often equipment was not necessary as people just needed to be re-educated on how to do things.  She advised that they were working very hard to keep the 3 months waiting list down and that people were regularly contacted in case their circumstances had changed.  She stated that she was not concerned at the length of the list as she would rather people receive the correct help and advice.  She also pointed out that it would be dangerous to give out equipment that was requested as a short-term measure before people were assessed as it may not be what they really need.  The OT Manager added that by doing that under the old system of self-assessment, 80% of people needed further home visits which duplicated their work.

In response to a further question raise by Councillor McGuill concerning futureproofing Disabilities Facilities Grant (DFG) for pediatrics, the OT Manager explained that they looked to the future as to how the child would progress but advised that they did not want to intervene too quickly as the child may improve with surgery or physio.  Sometimes a longer period was taken to ensure that the end result would meet the child’s needs when they were between 14 and 18.  She advised that they try to futureproof properties, look for new build properties or extend the existing properties to meet the whole family’s needs.

The Facilitator advised Members that as DFGs came under the terms of reference for the Community & Housing Overview & Scrutiny Committee, it had been agreed that there would be a joint item at the October meeting.

The Chief Officer (Social Services) informed Members that Occupational Therapy was one of the key professional groups within Social Services and often did not get the profile that they deserved, but he hoped that Members were better informed of the service after this meeting.  He stated that they were in a much improved position, as Members had observed, in terms of staffing levels being nearly full, waiting lists being significantly improved and thanked officers for their presentations.

            The recommendation was amended at the request of the Chair and this was moved by Councillor McGuill and seconded by Councillor Mackie.

RESOLVED:

That Members note, support and approve the content of the report and work carried out by the Occupational Therapy Services.