County Provider Forum
Reed Hall, Exeter University
10 July 2009
Minutes
Attendees :
Jennie Stephens (JS)
Geoffrey Cox (GC)
Richard Newcombe (RN)
Richard Crawthorne (RC)
Rosemary Wetherby (RW)
Phil Hartley (PH)
Keri Storey (KS)
Jan Ingram (JI)
Graham Varley (GV)
Piers Tetley (PT)
Denise Brabin (DB)
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Apologies for Absence
Apologies were received from Leah Allen (Acting AD South and West Devon) and Rob
Rotchell (Deputy Provider -Chair South and West Devon).
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Minutes of Meeting 28 January 2009
These were approved as a true and correct record.
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Action from Meeting 28 January 2009
Meeting acknowledged difficulty of compiling a complete and accurate list of Care
providers in Devon. Within ACS the procurement and contracts team have a mail list,
Geoffrey Cox is also attempting to compile database of Care Homes.
Phil Hartley introduced meeting to the Care Directory “Care Choices” which also provides
comprehensive list of providers. Action : Phil Hartley to e-mail details of Care Choices
to Denise Brabin.
The introduction into ACS of the Community Directory (scheduled for mid July) will also
assist in keeping e-mail contracts for providers up to date. Action : Graham Varley
updates on the CIS to go out with next Agenda.
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Quality
Building Quality in Care Services
GC stated that the perceptions of some providers was that there was a drive to spread the
limited funds across a wide area and that therefore the ability to build in quality was being
compromised.
The meeting acknowledged that some of the funding models are of same age when care
needs of individuals entering care services were less complex than those now being
admitted to care homes.
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There is a general view that Personal Care provided in Devon is good and that ACS has a
strong relationship with this market sector.
The Place survey supports this and it was agreed that this survey should be shared at
locality forums. Action :
Place Survey – circulate with these minutes
Agenda item for Locality Forums
D.P. survey to be County Provider Forum Agenda item
Facts and Figures
96 Personal Care Providers
3 star – 18
2 star – 51
1 star – 13
0
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nyr
12
Excellent
Good
Adequate
Whilst the forums are welcomed by the market the criticism is that ACS appear still to be
talking at the market rather than with them. The challenge is that we take engagement into
a true consultation process.
It was agreed that the following ratio applied :
Quality of Forum : Quality of Relationship : Quality of Care
Both Locality Chairs will ensure that there is a balance between the number of speakers
and consultation items. The forums can be used to correct the relationship between the
Chairman and the Assistant Directors. There will be a clear focus on local issues.
There is a need to make better use of communication networks, and more effective use
and promotion of the website. Action : Locality Chairs to consider the use of the Place
and DP surveys and to bring back proposals to the County Group as to how these
can be effectively used in local forums.
Planning frameworks for ACS to be circulated with these minutes.
5.
Care Homes
Agreement that there were not enough homes rated “excellent”, poor homes (zero rated)
are not knowingly supported by ACS staff.
The market will state that quality is directly related to funding. Quality in homes is driven
by a task related environment and not one of looking at the person holistically and
improving their quality of life.
G Cox is retraining his staff so that the emotional needs of his residents are addressed.
Discussions around devising a quality framework – a measurable tool – and providers
could work towards this. This might be linked to premium funding to incentivise the market.
Questions as to how evaluation is undertaken. Piers Tetley commented that many of these
issues are also raised and discussed at Devon. Consideration will be given to tying this
into our Commission Strategies and targeting investment.
6.
Safeguarding
Currently 21 whole home investigations under Safeguarding. It is important to promote
quality and service improvement planning. It is important to note that there is no
relationship between cqc rating and safeguarding. Action : JS to put Independent report
on website.
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DB to work with safeguarding to set up reference group to consider safeguarding.
Possibly set up three groups in each locality.
7.
Workforce Development
Action learning sets could be facilitated re Skills for Care to assist in improving quality.
Action : Piers to give consideration to this and report at next meeting.
8.
End of Life
There is a Strategic Commissioning Croup, with three workstreams to improve care at End
of Life. (11 people a day die in hospital because of lack of appropriate E of L in the
community).
Report on E of L to be circulated and Locality Chairs to prioritise this within locality forums
as necessary. Action : Report to be circulated with minutes and placed on web.
9.
Budget Bid
Proposal that a sub group be formed (to include both provider and ACS) to prepare a bid
from both sides of the table, to include input from the PCT, in order to lobby politicians.
Agreed Task and Finish group to be formed with bid by October.
Action :
Proposal before SMG/PCT Management Groups
To include ACS portfolio holder
PH to draft outline Terms of Reference by 17/7
10.
Workforce
10.1
Training Trainers
PH noted that the County provides a lot of free training. His proposal is that providers
could share this amongst themselves by using existing trained staff.
Proposal that Trained Independent Care Staff could be used to cascade throughout the
market by using the Care Homes as venues. This approval could benefit Independent
Providers who engage training consultants and pay high prices.
PT supported this proposal, would look to develop training that could address the flexibility
required in this approach.
Similar approach had been taken with Safeguarding.
To ensure quality refresher courses for the Care Trainers would need to be provided on an
annual basis.
Key areas would be Moving and Handling and Dementia Care. Action : ACS support
this approach. PT to draft outline approach and implement. To be reviewed at next
County Meeting. Providers to agree training areas and contact PT.
10.2
Workforce Grant
Highlight report circulated by PT. Would like to provide performance report on Devon Care
Training.
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growth in membership
growth in courses (79.8%)
growth in use of website
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11.
CQC Consultation
The new proposed standards have been evaluated for consultation. Item noted.
12.
Quality Framework
Agreed Works Programme Priorities
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Quality Agenda (regular reporting needed)
Fees – new working group to be formed and retitled (see item ? above)
Rural Services
Dementia Strategy
13.
Future Agenda Items
13.1
Putting People First
13.2
Involvement of Providers in future Commissioning
13.3
Detail of commissioning at a local level, variable quality of relationships at local level which
need to be improved
14.
Any Other Business
14.1
Future meeting to be held 4 x per annum. Action : DB to arrange
14.2
Policy on equipment has been updated this needs to be on local agenda and on website
14.3
Swine Flu – needs to include NHS colleagues. Action : JS to speak to TG about joint
presentation
Also needs to be addressed at next locality forum
14.4
Dementia Strategy
New commissioning strategy clear picture of our priorities. Jennie Richardson is lead and
looking at governance arrangement and how we engage with the market. 30% increase in
dementia over next 20 years. Need to address :

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Quality of workforce
Quality of Care
Nurses with specialist skills in acute tasks
Carers
Action : Strategy to accompany minutes. Jennie Richardson to do for providers to
forum workgroup to take forward strategy.
DATES OF NEXT MEETINGs :
25th September am – venue tbc
6th January 2010 – venue tbc
31st March 2010 – venue tbc
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