Issue - meetings

EXTENSION OF COVID-19 SURGE CAPACITY NURSING SUPPORT SERVICE

Meeting: 22/11/2022 - Adult Care and Health Policy Development and Scrutiny Committee (Item 46)

46 EXTENSION OF COVID-19 SURGE CAPACITY NURSING SUPPORT SERVICE pdf icon PDF 215 KB

Minutes:

Report ACH22-045

 

The Committee considered a report providing an update on the contract supplying Support Nurses as required until March 2023. Approval was sought for an extension of the Contract until 31st March 2024, if required.

 

In 2020/21 Bromley’s Public Health team worked with Smart Health Solutions to develop a “bank” of registered nurses to support them in responding to queries from professionals. These nurses were given appropriate training and detailed resources and systems were put in place. These ‘Support Nurses’ were only needed when there was a surge in infections. In 2021/22 the service was not used until December 2021 when the Omicron variant caused very high levels of infection in the borough. The ‘Support Nurses’ were currently on standby. It was anticipated that these nurses would be needed for surges of Covid infection if they occurred in the winter months of 2022/23 and also 2023/24. The Director of Public Health highlighted that the service would only be used if it was required.

 

Members strongly supported the proposals – it was noted that they had worked well during previous years and would provide additional capacity, if needed.

 

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be recommend to:

 

i)  Note the report and authorise the further extension beyond term of the Contract with Smart Health Solutions for the provision of Surge Nursing Support Services until 31st March 2024, should it be required; and,

 

ii)  Grant delegated authority to the Chief Officer to apply the extension based on an assessment of need and risk, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder.