Agenda item

QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC

To receive questions from the public in accordance with the Constitution.

 

Questions, of no longer than 50 words, can be submitted to the Democratic Support Unit, Plymouth City Council, Ballard House, Plymouth, PL1 3BJ, or email to democraticsupport@plymouth.gov.uk. Any questions must be received at least five clear working days before the date of the meeting.

Minutes:

One question was submitted by members of the public for this meeting, in accordance with Part B, paragraph 11 of the Constitution.

 

Mrs Coulton attended the meeting and asked the following question. Councillor McDonald responded as set out below –

 

To the Health and Wellbeing Board:

Question: Why does the Health & Wellbeing Board strategy not have any recognition of the importance of quality end of life care services when it comes to contributing to the health & wellbeing of local people? Death is an integral part of life.

End of life matters covers the spectrum of clinical care, choice, privacy & dignity, mental health & bereavement care, social isolation, housing, finances and inequalities in our city. There are end of life matters to plan and have informed choice for the deceased and important health & wellbeing issues for the partners/relatives following a death. Death touches all demographic profiles. Plymouth needs a co-ordinated approach to provision of end of life care and support services.

 

Response:

 

The Plymouth Health and Wellbeing Board has agreed the statutory Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy will now be included within the Plymouth Plan,  which was approved by a meeting of the full council on the 21st September 2015.   This single plan for the city outlines a key strategic objective to “ensure that children, young people and adults feel safe and confident in their communities, with all people treated with dignity and respect”.

 

Commissioning intentions are aligned to this high level objective and can be found within the draft Enhanced and Specialised Care Commissioning Strategy. The draft highlights the following outcomes and  –

 

·                     Increasing the numbers of people dying in their preferred place of care

·                     Care provided closer to home where possible

·                     Carers supported to provide good End of Life care

·                     Consistent and joined up assessment of needs at End of Life

·                     Preventing avoidable hospital admissions

·                     Fewer delayed transfers of care from hospital to the community for End of Life care

·                     Good quality End of Life Care across all providers which promotes dignity and comfort

 

The aim is to have co-ordinated care through good communication with individuals and professionals across the wider health and social care system. This will be achieved by –

 

·                     Working with providers to make sure that the right services are in place to support people

·                     at home and in care homes

·                     Continuing to improve the quality of care in hospital for those at the end of life

·                     Continuing to develop good quality care across all providers

·                     Joining up assessments through integrated services

·                     Supporting carers in the care they provide at the end of life

·                     Preventing avoidable hospital admissions

·                     Reducing delayed transfers of care from hospital to the community

·                     Developing advanced care planning across the community for those people in EOL

·                     phase

·                     Ensuring that families and carers know of the bereavement services that are available

 

The Board considers a “good death” as important not only for those at the end of their life but for those carers, family and friends that surround them.