Carers Forums in Cornwall. Minutes of the meeting held at Penzance on 29 th May 2014 in the Board Room at the One Stop Shop, St Clare, Penzance

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1 Carers Forums in Cornwall Minutes of the meeting held at Penzance on 29 th May 2014 in the Board Room at the One Stop Shop, St Clare, Penzance In Attendance: 7 Carers (including 2 new carers) hereafter referred to as members Lynda Phillips, CSW Emma Squire, HealthWatch Cornwall Jeanette Toy, Forum & Events Coordinator, Carers Rights Chris Watkin, Administrator (West) Carers Rights Graham Webster, RCHT Shadow Governor (West) 1. Welcome/Apologies/Introductions The chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and introductions were made round the table. Apologies were received from 2 members. 2. Emma Squire - HealthWatch Emma gave an overview of HealthWatch, the consumer champion for health and social care services: HealthWatch stores information on a database and uses it anonomously to to influence improvements in services such as; GP access, mental health access, discharge policies etc. HealthWatch has the authority to contact service providers to ask what is being done about an identified problem, who must then respond. HealthWatch will then respond to the public. HealthWatch also has the right to visit premises such as care homes and hospital wards to identify any problems and also to share good practice. Members of the public can contact HealthWatch by phone, via the website or by completing Have Your Say forms. Forms were circulated to members present at the meeting, and the importance of reporting issues was stressed. Carers in particular are often a hard to reach group. In response to a question Emma said that HealthWatch had been asked by KCCG to look at the Poltair consultation process with regarding to fairness and openess and had raised their concern that insufficient weight was being given to those who said they didn t like any of the options and wanted Poltair kept open. KCCG then changed the meeting process to allow those who didn t like any of the options to express their views, which addressed the concern raised by HealthWatch. 1

2 3. Graham Webster Graham said that A&E at Treliske is now finding it difficult to cope with the the number of patients needing treatment, with insufficent beds to meet demand. Multiple moves for patients within the hospital is of particular concern, and Graham asked if HealthWatch will be looking at the impact this is having. The chair said HealthWatch has been in contact with RCHT to arrange for volunteers to see patients and get details of their experiences. In response to a question Graham said that Treliske is making use of other beds within the Trust, but St Michael s at Hayle is an elective centre and is not suitable for those who are acutely ill. Community hospitals are also starting to play a part, but bed occupancy is very high. The view of professionals that there are sufficient beds was raised. However, because of a shortage of domiciliary care services a number of these beds are not available because they are being blocked by those who could be cared for at home. Social Services also have a role to play in solving this problem. The time lag between discharge and primary care arrangements was highlighted. A member also raised the question of the time taken to put support arrangements in place for those who are terminally and wish to remain in their own homes. Graham agreed that at the moment there are significant challenges in arranging domiciliary care, particular in outlying areas. Graham also agreed that there is a need for additional high quality care outside of hospital, of the sort that was provided by Poltair. One option for an alternative to Poltair still under consideration is the development of a new site. The St Clare site has been discussed but is felt unlikely the time scales of the Council s sale and the NHS Trust s puchase will coincide. No progress is being made at the present. Graham feels HealthWatch have a really important role to play in progressing the provision of the acute hospital care that is now needed. The Forum s view was that both beds and services are required and it does not agree with the closing of Poltair when there is a critical shortage. If the St Clare site could be used to provide the services required, why is this not being progressed. Graham said that Poltair is not completely closed and won t be until the services still being run from there are put in place elsewhere. HealthWatch have a strong role to play in monitoring the impact of this. He also agreed that the beds previously provided at Poltair are needed and this situation needs to be addressed. Action: Emma to take the issues back to HealthWatch and update the Forum. Emma said that HealthWatch will need a weight of evidence from a number of people to support this view. She encouraged members to record their views and stressed that all information received would have personal details removed before using. Graham said that he believes information concerning the number of patients that could have been accommodated at Poltair but have had to go elsewhere is available, but he is not confident it has been fed into the consultation process. Emma said that HealthWatch are going to be carrying out a significant project across Cornwall about the hospital discharge policy. Action: The chair will get the relevant statistics from HealthWatch and write to various organisations to express the level of discontent of the Forum and the worry about the critical situation. He will also ask for evidence to support the view that there are enough beds in this part of the county at present. Graham said that he believes there are a large number of people at present who could be discharged if outside support was available. Penwith Living Well Project. Information about this project which is due to start in August can be found on the NHS Kernow website. The project will focus on what the individual needs and seek to address that need. 2

3 4. Actions Arising from the Last Minutes & Approval to Publish Members present gave their approval to publish the minutes of the last meeting. Action: Chris 5. Items Raised by Carers The member who had had difficulties arranging specialist transport to respite care said that he had decided not to pursue the matter further. He has made other arrangements for the time being. Graham suggested that it may be worth contacting the GP to discuss the issues, as they have access to transport services for respite purposes where the health issues of the carer are in question. Action: The chair will write to KCCG expressing the Forum view concerning this issue A member said that changes in carers and the times they call can be a problem. Lynda said that one option could be to change to self administration of a personal budget so that carers can be employed direct. Another member had contacted both Glow Cornwall and Community Energy Plus, following information given at previous Forums. Although initially both were very helpful, nothing has been heard since, with no follow up visit for the promised assessment. Action: Carers Rights to contact both organisations to express concern that requests are not being followed ujp A member outlined her involvement with local projects that are working to find ways of helping carers and older people. The Chair felt that she would have a role to play in the Penwith Pioneer Project. Action: Chair will take member s details and put her in touch with the Project Provision of training for informal carers was also raised. This was felt to be very important. Action: To raise again at the CPB The issue of Carers owance stopping when the Government pension is drawn was raised again. This has already been taken to the CPB but will be raised again. Action: Jeanette to raise again at the CPB The member who had reported problems with road signage had received a call from a Council member who said a visit would be arranged, but has heard nothing further. In the meantime a visitor from Social Services was unable to find his property because of the signage. Action: The chair will contact Cornwall Highways again. The same member also raised the fact that during a visit to Morrisons supermarket with his son he needed to use the toilet but was unable to find the key needed to access the disabled facilities. The member was advised that a key should be available at Customer Service and it is possible to get the keys on line. Action: Jeanette will raise the issue with Morrisons when she drops of the disabled parking notices which Morrisons have agreed to display on behalf of the Forums. A new member said that he is a service user and has an increasing caring role for his parents. Lynda gave him a card with the Cornwall Carers Service helpline number and invited him to ring and ask for a referral to a CSW. The member was advised that a CSW can also signpost other services if required and the Chair advised that there is as representative from the Mental Health Team at the Carers Partnership Board to take any issues to. Wendy invited the member to attend the Penzance Carers Support Group and gave him details. Senior Life Skill Event. A member gave details of this event which will be held on Friday 20 th June between 10am-1pm at Truro & Penwith College, St Clare, Penzance. Penwith 50s Plus Forum. A member gave details of this group who aim to get those who are isolated together for social activites. Beds in the Community. Members again raised concerns about the shortage of beds in West Cornwall. It was felt the issues may not be fully understood by the 3

4 professionals and members asked if the issue of a shortage of beds available on discharge had been raised at other Forums. This issue will be taken to the next CPB meeting. Action 1: Jeanette will raise this at the other Forum meetings. Action 2: The Forum s CPB rep will raise this at the next CPB meeting The Penzance Carers Group will be holding a celebration tea on 13 th June in the Yacht Inn from 2-4pm. Andrew George MP will be present to listen to any issues. Action: Members were asked to advise Wendy if they intend to go. 6. Information from the Cornwall Carers Service Jeanette gave an outline of the events organised for Carers Week and Lynda distributed leaflets. In this area there are 2 events being held on Monday 9 th June, at St Just in the morning and at Kehelland, Camborne in the afternoon. Lynda said that she had found it difficult to get a form for a self referral to the Penwith Pioneer Project. Graham said his understanding was that referrals should be made via the GP. Action 1: Chair to feed concerns about the length of time taken to get through when requesting referrals back into the Penwith Pioneer Project and ask for clarification regarding the referral procedure. Action 2: Chair to arrange a speaker from the Penwith Pioneer Project for the next meeting. Jeanette circulated posters advertising the next meeting of the Penzance Carers Forum to members with a request to display the posters if possible. Action: Chris to forward A5 poster to member 7. Issues Raised at the Carers Partnership Board (CPB) There were no issues taken to the CPB from the last meeting. Jeanette advised members that the effectiveness of the Carers Forums had been questioned at the last CPB meeting and that a special meeting had since been held to discuss concerns. As a result, in future the actions from Forums will be circulated to CPB members for their information to show what has been raised and dealt with during or following the Forum meeting. Individual members will also get direct feedback in future concerning any issues raised by them during Forum meetings which were then taken to the CPB. Members present felt it was important the CPB understands how effective the Forums can be. The Forum s CPB member said that a video about Poltair was shown at the last CPB meeting and that it can be viewed on the Carers website or Utube. 8. Review of Actions Raised at this Meeting (Appendix 2) 9. Issues to Raise at the Carers Partnership Board (CPB) (Appendix 3) Footnotes to Members 2014 Meeting Dates for the Penzance Forum Thurs 4th September 2014 Thurs 27th November

5 Forum meetings will be held in the Board Room at Penzance One Stop Shop, Cornwall Council, St Clare, Penzance TR18 3QW from pm. Reasonable travel expenses to attend the meetings will be paid. Carers Partnership Board and Learning Disability Partnership Board Forum representatives are needed to attend Carers Partnership Board meetings and also the Learning Disability Partnership Board meetings. If Forum Members are able to attend any of these meetings would they please contact Debbie Putnam at Old County Hall, Station Road, Truro TR1 3AY, tel: , expenses incurred may be claimed. Dates of Future Carers Partnership Board Meetings: CDate Meeting type Time a r Thursday 12th June 2014 Carers meeting am pm ethursday 12th June 2014 Full meeting 1.30 pm pm r sthursday 11th September 2014 Carers Meeting 10.30am pm C Thursday 11th September 2014 Full Meeting 1.30 pm 3.00 pm Thursday 4th December 2014 Carers Meeting am pm Thursday 4th December 2014 Full Meeting 1.30 pm 3.00 pm Carers Rights can be contacted at Highgrove House Truro Business Park, Threemilestone, TRURO, TR4 9NH. Tel: info@carersrights.org.uk 5

6 Actions from Penzance Forum 29 th May 2014 Forum: Issue Penzance Forum members raised various concerns regarding the closure of Poltair, particularly the lack of availability of beds for those who are ready to leave hospital but need ongoing care before returning home. 2 A member whose cared for had been refused transport to a care home which was not approved by the NHS has decided not to pursue the matter further. However the Forum feel this is an issue which will affect other carers and will have a community impact. 3 A member had contacted both Glow Cornwall and Community Energy Plus requesting help with fuel saving measures. Although both were initially very helpful, nothing further has been heard and neither have visited to carry out the assessments promised. 4 Problems with insufficient road signage near his home were reported by a member at the last meeting. He received a call from the Council promising a site visit, but has heard nothing further. In the meantime another professional visitor has been unable to find his house. 5 A member had had difficulties accessing the disabled toilet at Morrisons with his son, being unable to locate the special key. 6 Members present gave their approval to publish the minutes from the meeting held on 20 th February 7 Lynda had found it very time consuming when trying to arrange a referral via the Penwith Pioneer Project Carer Groups Affected LD LD Solution Appendix 1 1. Emma will take the issues back to HealthWatch and update the Forum members 2. The chair will write to Andrew George to express the level of discontent of the Forum & their worries about this critical situation The chair will write to KCCG expressing the view of the Forum Carers Rights to both organisations concerning their lack of response and follow up action The chair will contact Highways again Jeanette will raise the issue with Morrisons Chris to arrange publication on the Cornwall Carers website 1. The chair will feed this information back to the Penwith Pioneer Project and obtain clarification of the 6

7 8 Members were asked to help with raising awareness of the Penzance Carers Forum 9 Members asked if the issue regarding the lack of community beds available on discharge from hospital had been raised at other Forums. 10 Members were advised that the Penzance Carers Group will be holding a Celebration Tea on Friday 13 th June at the Yacht Inn between 2-4pm. Andrew George will be present to take any questions process for referral 2. The chair will follow up the request for a speaker from the Penwith Pioneer Project for the next meeting of the Forum 1. Posters giving details of the next Penzance Forum meeting were circulated to members with a request to arrange to have them displayed if possible. 2. Chris to forward A5 size posters to one member Jeanette will raise this with other Forums Members were asked to let Wendy know on if they intend to go. 7

8 Appendix 2 ISSUE CARER GROUPS AFFECTED SOLUTION CPB ACTION Forum: Penzance Date: 29 th May A member highlighted the lack of training Request to be taken to the CPB available for informal carers. This was felt to be an important issue which should be progressed 2 A member again raised the issue of Carers owance stopping when a carer starts to CPB rep wiill raise this again at the CPB draw their Government pension 3 Members are concerned at the lack of beds available in the community locally, which also impacts throughout the county. Members asked if the issue had been raised by other Forum i.e. the lack of community beds available on discharge from hospital. Issue to be taken to the CPB 8