Agenda item

Agenda item

[10.45-11.20] The Manchester Local Care Organisation

Report of the Chief Executive MLCO

 

This report has been written to provide the Health Scrutiny Committee with an update on Manchester Local Care Organisation and the delivery of its key priorities.

Minutes:

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Executive Manchester Local Care Organisation (MLCO) that provided an update on the MLCO and the delivery of its key priorities.

 

Key points and themes in the report included:

 

·         Operational planning; 

·         Neighbourhood working; 

·         Recovery, reform, and transformation; 

·         Addressing inequalities;

·         Resilience and winter planning; 

·         Population health and managing long term conditions;

·         Vaccinations; and

·         Workforce.

 

Some of the key points that arose from the Committee’s discussions were: -

 

·         Noting the recent negative media coverage regarding difficulties accessing Primary Care, it was important to celebrate and promote the work of the MLCO across the neighbourhoods;

·         Noting the example provided that described the positive outcomes as a result of the door knocking exercise to engage with residents regarding the vaccination programme;

·         The need to champion the care sector, value care workers and promote caring as a viable career option;

·         Appropriate consideration needed to be given to ensure Neighbourhood Teams were aligned with ward boundaries;

·         Noting the reported figure of the 80 ‘Discharge to Assess’ beds, was this sufficient and how had this number been arrived at;

·         Requesting that the MLCO Operating Plan 2021-22 be circulated to all Members of the Committee following the meeting;

·         Welcoming the commitment that GP leadership is at the heart of the MLCO; and

·         The need to include all strands of work that could support and strengthen the work of the MLCO; such as Adverse Childhood Experiences & Trauma Informed Practice.

 

The Chief Executive, MLCO commenced her response by paying tribute to all of the staff working within the MLCO. She stated that although there were a number of examples provided within the report further examples of the range and variety of work delivered that had been tailored to the needs of the local neighbourhoods could be provided. She said that the example provided within the report that described the door knocking exercise demonstrated the value of such exercises. She said this had resulted in building and strengthening connections with local residents, connecting residents with appropriate services and had helped build upon the understanding of the local communities.

 

The Chief Executive, MLCO commented that they were mindful to align the LCO with ward boundaries, however she acknowledged the issue raised by the Member. She commented that this was being addressed and she would discuss this further with the Member outside of the meeting.

 

The Chief Executive, MLCO said that the number of ‘Discharge to Assess’ beds had been assessed based upon local knowledge, patient flow management data and winter planning. She described that this strengths-based approach was beneficial as it resulted in more patients being discharged, where appropriate back to their home with the correct measures of support in place. 

 

The Executive Director Adult Social Services stated that it was recognised that care staff played a critical role and issues such as pay and terms of conditions of employment were to be considered to ensure there was parity of esteem for care staff. She also described that discussions were underway to develop local bespoke training opportunities to support and develop staff. She stated that to develop and deliver such schemes would require the appropriate funding from central government. In response to a specific issue raised by a Member regarding changes to BTEC courses, she advised she would raise this with the Director of HR.

 

The Chief Executive, MLCO stated that the MLCO Operating Plan 2021-22 would be circulated following the meeting, and in addition the ‘We Will’ statements would be provided as this would also assist Members in their understanding of the approach taken by the MLCO.

 

Decision

 

The Committee recommend that the MLCO Operating Plan 2021-22 be circulated for information.

 

Supporting documents: