NORTH YORKSHIRE COUNCIL
17 May 2023
STATEMENT OF EXECUTIVE MEMBER FOR HEALTH AND ADULT SERVICES
Covid Memorial Tree Trail
A new tree trail was planted during February and March 2023 across North Yorkshire as a lasting, living memorial to all those who suffered and all those who sadly lost their lives during the Covid-19 pandemic. The trees also provide an acknowledgement of the incredible dedication displayed by so many to keep people safe throughout the pandemic and it is hoped they provide a way to reflect and remember what was endured and continues to be withstood, particularly in adult social care. A total of eight trees and associated plaques are in the following locations:
· Meadowfield, Thirsk · County Hall, Northallerton · Fernbank Court, Brayton, Selby · 16 Station View, Starbeck, Harrogate |
· Cedar Court, Pollard Gardens, Scarborough · Deansfield Court, Norton, Malton · Aireville Nurseries, Skipton · Sycamore Hall, Bainbridge
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The tree-planting initiative was led by colleagues in health and adult services, with the support of colleagues at the council’s tree and woodland service. Colleagues from across both the former county council, district and borough authorities, the voluntary and community sector, housing and care providers and the NHS, residents from the care settings and regular visitors to attend the tree-planting ceremonies.
Hospital Discharge Activity
We are dealing with an average of 75 hospital discharges per week, with the majority of demand being on weekdays. We have adapted our discharge teams to ensure they are in line with demand and have worked with our Integrated Care Boards to ensure there is a coherent discharge plan in place to support North Yorkshire residents. This includes additional intermediate care beds and domiciliary care support, increased home from hospital services and discharge/flow coordinators. We are committed to ensuring people who require social care are able to be safely discharged from hospital as soon as possible.
Care Quality Commission (CQC) Assurance Framework
A final draft of the new single assessment framework was published in December, and CQC have described how they will work with 5 Local Authorities between April-September 2023 to test their new approach. Following this final ‘piloting’ of the new framework formal inspections will begin in September 2023 with 20 Local Authorities being selected.
At this stage we do not know when we will be inspected, but we have begun our preparations by doing a self-assessment on the 4 key areas the CQC will explore: working with people, providing support, ensuring safety and leadership. We have been gathering data and evidence from colleagues, partners and people who use our services to identify both areas of good practice as well as areas for potential improvement against CQC standards, and will participate in a peer review in June.
20th Anniversary of Extra Care
This month marks the 20th anniversary of our first Extra Care Home opening – The Orchards at Brompton. The Extra Care programme is a huge achievement for the council, comprising 28 schemes and 1500 units of housing, the largest in the country, with more schemes in the pipeline. Many of the schemes were developed in collaboration with the former district and borough authorities and are a legacy of partnership working.
Recruitment
Recruitment and retention of colleagues in social care remains a challenge, with nearly 80 full time equivalent posts currently vacant within the council alone. Our international recruitment shows promising signs with nearly 30 colleagues having accepted offers. I am mindful that the support that is needed for colleagues who are relocating from overseas needs to be extensive, and I am receiving regular updates on progress.
Tobacco Update
Although entirely preventable, smoking is a major killer and the leading cause of early death. In April government announced plans to cut smoking and tackle underage vaping with an eight step plan with increased funding and new initiatives which has been widely welcomed.
In North Yorkshire we are leading the way nationally in going live with a comprehensive tobacco control programme including the provision of stop smoking incentives for pregnant women, providing vapes as a first line aid in local stop smoking services, lung screening and tackling illicit tobacco.
ICB Health Inequalities Funding
Over £400k has been secured by the Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board for 11 projects in North Yorkshire to address health inequalities:
Project |
Overview |
Rethink Food Transition Project |
Develop and expand the Rethink Food UK transition project in 3 schools in Selby |
My Happy Mind Pilot – Scarborough |
Promoting good mental health |
Active Start early years physical activity programme |
Addressing childhood obesity and lower levels of school readiness |
Supporting North Yorkshire Families with Food Insecurity and the Cost of Living |
Initiatives to provide a safety net for families |
Increasing immunisation uptake and support mental wellbeing amongst underserved populations |
Develop communications and support families to access immunisations |
ICO smokerlyzer’s |
Remote monitoring as part of a ‘gold standard’ quit outcome |
Purchase of Allen Carr ‘Easyway’ Licences |
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) |
Vaping project development with Trading standards |
Additional capacity for Trading Standards to prevent underage sales and remove illicit vaping products. |
CVD know your numbers campaign |
Piloting communications and interventions around CVD prevention and detection |
Addressing inequalities in Selby |
Social prescribing approach for vulnerable families |
Prevention and Community Support |
Various activities across the county |
COUNCILLOR MICHAEL HARRISON