Agenda item

Veronica Barry (Executive Director, Healthwatch Oxfordshire) and Katharine Howell (Senor Research and projects officer, Healthwatch Oxfordshire) have been invited to present a report on a Healthwatch Oxfordshire project on 'People's Experiences of Leaving Hospital in Oxfordshire'.

There are TWO key reports attached to this item:

1. A general Healthwatch Oxfordshire Update Report.

2. The report produced by Healthwatch Oxfordshire on peoples’ experiences of leaving hospital.

The Committee is invited to consider the Healthwatch Oxfordshire reports and NOTE them having raised any questions arising Barry (Executive Direc Veronica Barry (Executive Director, Healthwatch Oxfordshire) and Katharine Howell (Senor Research and projects officer, Healthwatch Oxfordshire) have been invited to present a report on a Healthwatch Oxfordshire project on 'People's Experiences of Leaving Hospital in Oxfordshire'.

Veronica Barry (Executive Director: Healthwatch Oxfordshire) and Katharine Howell (Senior Research and Projects officer: Healthwatch Oxfordshire) were invited to present a report on a Healthwatch Oxfordshire project on 'People's Experiences of Leaving Hospital in Oxfordshire'. Karen Fuller (OCC Director of Adult Social Care) and Victoria Baran (OCC Deputy Director of Adult Social Care), were also present to answer the Committee’s questions.

The Senior Research and Projects Officer introduced the Healthwatch update on people’s experiences of leaving hospital in Oxfordshire. The project involved collaboration with various system partners, including OUH, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust (OH), Age UK Oxfordshire, Carers Oxfordshire, and patient groups. The focus was on understanding people's concerns about the new model of moving people out of hospitals and bringing support closer to home. The aim was to incorporate patient voices into the development and response to these changes.

The Committee had made six recommendations in January 2024 around ensuring adequate support for people leaving hospital, which were acknowledged as having a mixed picture of progress. One of the key recommendations was the creation of a discharge leaflet, which was now in the final stages of production and expected to be available soon. The Director of Adult Social Care mentioned that the recommendations from January were in progress, with a focus on improving communication and engagement with the community. The leaflet had been co-produced with residents and patients to ensure it was accessible and meaningful.

The Committee was assured they would receive a written update in January 2025 on the progress of the previous recommendations.

Officers noted the improvements in reablement. The rate of full independence after reablement was 57% in 2021, below the national average of 77%. It rose to 76% in 2023-2024 and was now about 72.5%. Overall, 85.3% of people benefited from reablement, including those with reduced care needs. This improvement showed the effectiveness of the discharge to assess process.

Members requested an update of recruitment and retention, and whether the service was on target in this area. Officers acknowledged that there was currently good availability of care providers in the market, with very few people waiting over 48 hours for a discharge to assess package. The main challenges were not related to care availability but to other factors such as organising equipment for home or coordinating with informal carers.

Concerns were raised about the potential impact of national insurance changes on care providers, but it was noted that the Council had given above-inflation increases to care providers and pays above the national living wage.

Members were curious as to the working relationship between the Council and Healthwatch, and whether there was good communication between the two bodies with regular meetings.

Officers highlighted that there was a good working relationship with Healthwatch, with ongoing engagement and collaboration throughout the process. Officers from Healthwatch had been actively involved in meetings and discussions, providing feedback and insights as they progressed. The report and recommendations from Healthwatch were based on continuous communication and collaboration with the Council and other system partners.

It was proposed to bring back a written response in January 2025, updating the Committee on the recommendations made in January 2024 and the new recommendations from Healthwatch. The Director of Adult Social care suggested working with the Health Scrutiny Officer to simplify and format the update, focusing on quick wins and significant impacts. The update would include progress on the January recommendations and incorporate some of the new recommendations from Healthwatch.