South Lanarkshire Integration Joint Board – HSCP01 Stop Interim Care Home Placements.
| Title | South Lanarkshire Integration Joint Board – HSCP01 Stop Interim Care Home Placements. |
|---|---|
| Council Resource | Social Work |
| Aims and Objectives | The policy to stop interim care home placements as an alternative pathway for people discharging from hospital has been implemented and is presented to the Integration Joint Board (IJB) for noting. Interim care placements were created in South Lanarkshire in response to additional funding from the Scottish Government as a test of change. With consistent and equitable application of Self-directed Support there is no longer a requirement for this type of service. An exit strategy was agreed, stopping all new referrals to interim care and making alternative arrangements for those remaining within existing placements. Investment in community supports such as short-term intermediate care at Blantyre LIFE and integrated reablement support by Home First teams across South Lanarkshire, has created alternative choice for individuals to receive support within their own home, close to home, or an environment of their choice. Individuals can choose services tailored to their needs and capabilities through a co-produced assessment and support plan. The effect of this proposal will result in full year savings of £0.850m, supporting the Integration Joint Board (IJB) to achieve its statutory responsibility to set a balanced budget in 2024/25. |
| Conclusion | A range of consultation was undertaken, including extended sessions with IJB members and IJB Voting Members. https://www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/slhscp/info/2/integration_joint_board The South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Forum has also contributed to the overall process, representing the views of the public on health and social care matters. Management action has now been taken to implement this policy change. Discussions have taken place with those in receipt of interim care, along with unpaid carers and family members, as part of the ongoing assessment process to identify alternative longer term arrangements, either returning home or to a placement of choice. There is potential that stopping an interim care service may have impact on the protected characteristics of age and disability, for people assessed as suitable for interim care. In terms of mitigation, an exit strategy has been implemented offering alternative choices through the Self-directed Support process to new and existing service users. Self-directed Support and the South Lanarkshire Eligibility Framework will continue to be applied consistently and equitably to ensure resources are allocated to those with critical and substantial needs. It is anticipated that support from recently developed community based services such as Blantyre LIFE and Home First will provide service users with improved quality of care within their own home, without a temporary transfer on discharge. This will continue to be monitored through support plan reviews. The proposal has stopped interim care placements and created a shift towards delivering support to people within their own home through other community based services including intermediate care within Blantyre LIFE and Home First teams. There is potential that the proposal could have an adverse effect in relation to protected characteristics of age and disability for those deemed eligible in future. However, with consistent and equitable application of Self-directed Support, this should mitigate the impact for individuals by tailoring services to their needs and capabilities and meeting the commitment of the South Lanarkshire University Health and Social Care Partnership to tackle inequalities and deliver services as close to home as possible. Agreed by the South Lanarkshire Integration Joint Board on 26th March 2024. |
| Completion date | March 2024 |
| Contact Email address | equalities@southlanarkshire.gov.uk |