To assess performance in key areas of social care, consider ASCOF measures to ascertain how the Council compares with other local authorities, identify progress over time and identify any potential topics for future Scrutiny consideration.  Report TO FOLLOW, marked:  7

Contact:  Tom Dodds, Commissioning Support Manager, tom.dodds@shropshire.gov.uk

Members considered a report on performance measures and customer feedback information for Adult Social Care for 2015/16, and results for Delayed Transfers of Care for 2016/17 to date. A copy of the report is attached to the signed minutes along with a copy of a presentation provided by the Commissioning Support Manager.

Members noted the measures where Shropshire performed above the West Midlands and England averages.  Areas which were lower that the West Midlands and England averages included the proportion of carers who received self-directed support and the proportion of carers who received direct payments, and the delayed transfers of care from hospital.

Delayed Transfers of Care

Members asked if brokerage had made any impact on delayed transfer of care figures.  The Director of Adult Services said that brokerage had definitely made an impact on the ground and the system was working well.  He reported that local delayed transfer of care issues were replicated nationally and that there were issues regarding the way delays were recorded.  There had been a spike in August and work was underway to try and establish the reasons for this as a peak had not been expected at that time of year.  The Integrated Care Service was developing all the time and it had been agreed with the CCG to look at the system as a whole which was an extremely positive development. 

It was confirmed that the figures provided covered the Acute Trust and also Community and Mental Health hospitals.  During discussion, Members identified mental health services as an area that the Committee would need to focus on in future. 

Carers

The Director explained the lack of concern around ASCOF indicators 1C (1B) ‘the proportion of carers who receive self-directed support’ and 1C (2b) ‘the proportion of carers who receive direct payments’.  These which were dramatically lower than statistical neighbours, West Midlands and England scores but this was due to both reporting requirements and the conscious decision to shift resources in Shropshire to early intervention.  Pre-formal assessment data did not contribute to the figures and there was no mechanism for recording early intervention and prevention activity.   The Council was not minded to change its successful operational model to hit a target and Members noted that the Association of Directors of Adult Services were supportive of this approach. 

Members confirmed that they understood these reasons but asked whether it was known that prevention activity was working and whether it was possible to see some sort of value attributed to this work.  The Director said this was being monitored carefully and emphasised that it was important to note that there was a steady increase in demand.  If resources had not been shifted to prevention, it would not have been possible to meet the demand for statutory services. 

Members asked for the actual number of respondents to the Annual Users survey and it was agreed to circulate this information outside of the meeting. Officers explained that it was not possible to make any changes to the prescribed questions or cover letter and only one reminder was permitted.  In terms of customer feedback, the Chairman went on to comment that 149 complaints out of over 8,000 contacts with the Council was a good performance. 

Officers reported that learning from feedback from services users, providers and partners was ongoing and the Council continued to look outward to other areas to see if there is evidence of what works which might be appropriate for implementation in Shropshire.

Members with electoral divisions in areas bordering other counties, and Wales, where patients often received primary health care outside of the county but adult social care services within, emphasised the need to work with General Practices outside of Shropshire on complaints.

Members agreed that they would like to consider delayed transfers of care in more detail.