Discussion/Decision
Tuesday 5th November 2013 at 10:30 am
Board Room, JDB
Chair
/ Janet Spence - Programme Manager (Modernisation & Quality Assurance)Minute / Liza MacFarquhar - Clerical Assistant
Present / Elaine Mead - Chief Executive
Brian Robertson - Head of Adult Social Care
Ian Thomson - Project Manager, Change Support Team
Arlene Johnstone - Complex Case Planning Manager
Graeme MacKinnon - Team Manager, East Ross
Lyn Johnson - Unit Manager, The Montrose Centre
Kara McNaught - Social Worker, Inverness East Urban
Graham Jepps - Day Care Officer, The Corbett Centre
Angela Longmate - Social Care Worker, DailMhor House
Christina Mudditt - Senior Social Care Worker, Telford Centre
Shona Knight - Social Worker, Black Isle, Muir of OrdDingwall
Sheilis MacKay - Advocacy Highland
Pam McAllister - Care at Home Manager, West Ross
Helen Robertson - Social Worker, Skye
Ian Clayton - Resources Manager, Corbett Centre & Cabarfeidh Centre
Item /
Discussion/Decision
/ Action1. / Apologies
None
2. / Introduction to Elaine Mead, Chief Executive, NHS Highland
Janet welcomed all to the meeting, and introduced Elaine Mead.
Elaine explained that this is the first and only Adult Social Care Forum in Scotland. The board see this as an opportunity for you to give your professional opinion on the way NHS Highland runs its business.
Elaine explained that there is an Area Clinical Forum, made up of people from different professions. E.g. GP’s, opticians, Allied Health Professionals etc. This forum would generally formulate advice to the NHS Highland board. Elaine gave an example of an idea the Board had for some surgical procedures to be performed in Fort William to ease the pressure on Raigmore, where the Area Clinical Forum advised against this. This example shows how forums can have a say. Elaine expressed her hopes for the Adult Social Care Forum and explained the importance of this from the Board’s perspective. Elaine asked for peoples initial thoughts on this.
Ian expressed that he feels very positive and feels that this is a good opportunity.
Brian added that it is important to understand that the forums are representatives for the whole workforce. He sees this as an opportunity for the service to gain the confidence it needs to build our expertise. Brian also added that the chair of the forum will become a board member.Elaine added that she expects that forum members will be well connected so that they can represent their colleagues.
Janet added that she expects that the forum will grow as time goes on.
Discussion followed around everybody’s initial thoughts with the key points being:
- The forum is not the place to bring up personal agenda’s
- Sheilis introduced herself, explaining that she can offer the point of view of a service user.
- Arlene suggested having the 3rd sector represented. Elaine felt that this was a good idea, but better waiting until the forum is up and running. Brian added that the 3rd sector is well represented in other forums, and agreed that it would be best to wait.
- Graeme Jepps added that the workforce need to understand the importance of this & the voice they have.
- Ian asked if there are specific duties a Board Member takes on. Elaine gave an overview of duties, and advised that their own post would need to be backfilled.
- Many felt that it was a great opportunity
- Brian added that people who come to meetings need to be prepared to speak, raise issues, offer advice and debate. Also attend as often as possible.
3. / Verbal Report introducing the new Personal Planning Documentation
Ian explained the Personal Outcome Plan document & what this is trying to achieve. He added that the hope is that these plans will go onto CareFirst replacing the SSA. It has been rolled out to 5 test sites at the moment. Ian asked for feedback on this.
A discussion followed around the good and bad points of the new document, comparison to the SSA, the effectiveness of the individual filling it in and hopes for it being more person centred than the SSA. All agreed the following:
- It is a significant change
- Gathers important information
- Specialist assessments may still need to be done
- Need to see feedback from Test Sites and staff in different disciplines, service users and carers to see how it can be further developed
4. / Paper on “The Role of the Social Worker”
Not discussed
5. / Membership of the Adult Social Care Practice Forum
A discussion took place around membership of the forum, and the following were elected to represent their category’s & Areas :
Adult Social Work - Graeme Mackinnon , East Ross & Kara McNaught, Inverness
Care at Home - Pamela McAllister, West Ross & Meg Shaw, Dingwall
Learning Disabilities - Lyn Johnson, Lochaber & Graham Jepps, Inverness
Community Mental Health Service - Diane Spence, Inverness
Occupational Therapy - Arlene Johnstone, Highland
Service Improvement - Ian Thomson, Highland
Care Support - James Bain, Highland
Service User/Carer - Sheilis Mackay
Residential Care For Older People - Christina Mudditt, Fort Augustus & Angela Longmate, Strontian
Day Care for Older People - Christina Mudditt, Fort Augustus & Angela Longmate, Strontian
It was agreed that others would also remain involved, and that the forum would constantly change.
6. / Chair of the Adult Social Care Practice Forum
All agreed to wait for further information regarding backfilling of posts before appointing a chair.
Janet agreed to stand in until the Chair is formally appointed.
1