Agenda item

Report ACH21-035

The Committee considered a report providing a refresh of the Adult Care and Health Portfolio Plan for 2021-22, and the update for Quarter 4.

The Adult Care and Health Portfolio Plan 2018 to 2022 was refreshed each year in line with the Council’s Transformation Programme and Building a Better Bromley. The Plan continued to focus on four priority outcomes:

•  Safeguarding

•  Life chances, resilience and wellbeing

•  Integrated health and social care

•  Ensuring efficiency and effectiveness

Within each priority there were a number of statements which were underpinned by actions and measures of success within the work of Adult Care and Health Services. Progress in the final quarter of 2020/21 had been made on the majority of the actions within the Portfolio Plan. The impact of COVID-19 had seen new ways of working in partnership with health partners and these positive changes continued to be incorporated into ways of working and future plans. The planned re-commissioning of services had been delayed in some instances, however, the adjustment in timescales were minimised as much as possible and were on track to meet these changes. The Portfolio Plan for 2021/22 had been refreshed and continued to focus on the four priority outcomes from previous years.

Members considered that measures of success should be added against a number of the actions contained within the Portfolio Plan. It was further suggested that explanations of the acronyms used throughout the document be included and updates be provided in relation to the target dates set which had now passed. A Member highlighted that it would be useful to have comparative data from local boroughs in relation to recruitment and retention and asked that this be included in future update provided to the Committee. It was further questioned why respite was not prevalent within the Plan. The Chairman requested that the points raised be considered following the meeting, and a response be circulated to Members.

A Member noted the reference made in the report to Integrated Services 0-25 – to review assessment, decision making and planning processes across services to ensure that transition between children’s and adult services are effective including commissioning. It was requested that an update on this be presented at a future meeting of the Adult Care and Health PDS Committee.

A Member highlighted that Long COVID-19 was a worrying aspect for health partners and considered that this should be reflected in the priorities. A number of patients were suffering from this syndrome in the community which could put additional demand on social care services. The Assistant Director for Strategy, Performance and Corporate Transformation advised that this would be discussed with the Director of Public Health, Director of Adult Social Care and Portfolio Holder for Adult Care and Health following the meeting, and a response would be provided.

The Chairman thanked officers for their work over recent months. They had undertaken a huge amount of work to procure contracts and ensure that the provision of services continued. Members of the Committee were also thanked for the flexibility shown in scrutinising the proposals throughout.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.