Chief Officer Report
Argyll and Bute Council · 29 January 2025
Back to Argyll and Bute HSCP Integration Joint Board (IJB) — 29 January 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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1 Integration Joint Board Agenda item: Date of Meeting: 29 January 2025 Title of Report: Chief Officer Report Presented by: Evan Beswick, Chief Officer The Integration Joint Board is asked to: • Note the following report from the Chief Officer Introduction Welcome to my first Chief Officer Report of 2025. I would firstly like to thank our HSCP staff for their hard work, dedication and commitment to the people of Argyll and Bute over the last year. This makes a big positive difference for our local communities and is really valued and appreciated. I also want to thank teams for the work they have done over the festive period in maintaining services over this challenging time. Over the festive period, an extraordinary meeting of the national Collaborative Response Assurance Group was called following a meeting held with the First Minister (26 December) due to reports of a rise in pressure and demand across the health and social care systems and early reports of a significant rise in Influenza A cases being detected through Public Health Scotland surveillance. Our teams across health, social care and social work responded quickly to the request from the First Minister, retaining the focus on vaccinations, early supported discharge planning, multi-professional discharge coordination and operational huddles that have been a key feature of our approach to tackling delayed discharge. I am proud of the work they have done in challenging circumstances. Routinely, the HSCP has a systems pressures oversight group which is currently meeting weekly to discuss local pressures such as bed occupancy and delayed discharges and it is working closely with local managers to ensure that services are operating as efficiently and smoothly as possible. This effort is invaluable in ensuring we meet our aspirations for the people we serve. Nonetheless, it is important to reflect on the winter pressures and underlying context across Health and Social Care in Scotland. Across Scotland the number of patients experiencing delay remains higher than twelve months ago, in spite of the focussed national mission. This is reflective of a system-wide imbalance in care capacity outside a hospital setting, and of an ongoing pressure on the resources we have to
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2 provide that care. We know clearly from data that our demographic direction tends towards a greater need for that care over the next decade. The need for local and national action is evident. As an HSCP we are continuing to face significant financial challenges with a projected overspend of £2.6m and the financial papers presented to the IJB at this month’s meeting provides much more context around this and what steps have been put in place to try and mitigate this overspend. We are not alone in facing financial pressures as many HSCPs across the country are in a similar financial situation and much like in Argyll and Bute are having to assess where cost savings can be made. We are also awaiting the conclusion of the Scottish Government’s budget process for the next financial year and we expect this to be concluded in the Scottish Parliament in February. This will hopefully provide us with more clarity as to the financial resources that will be made available to us. You will see from papers that our discussions with our key partners (NHS Highland and Argyll and Bute Council) are ongoing. I am grateful for the collaborative nature of this dialogue. There remains a number of other areas in the delivery of health, social care and social work services where there continues to be operational pressures, but also where my team is clear-sighted about the work we can do in Argyll and Bute to make improvements. This includes the recruitment and retention of staff particularly within the care at home sector. This again is a national problem though the remote and rural nature of Argyll and Bute brings its own specific challenges. The delivery of a high standard of care at home service remains one of our top priorities and we are working with our care at home partners, who deliver many of these services, to see what else we can do to help with recruitment in this sector. As noted in the papers, care at home is an area of focus for our redesign agenda and this will mean both modernised systems and processes, as well as careful consideration of how limited resources best meet the needs of our population as a whole. A further area of challenge and opportunity is the west area of our patch, with service sustainability a key risk within Kintyre, and delayed discharge showing up a symptom of system pressure in the Oban area. Again, this is noted in the papers. We have begun a refreshed approach in both of these areas, which will necessitate us being innovative around our working between health, social care, social work and hospital and community. This will mean that the shape of our services will change and I will keep this board updated as that progresses. On that note, I am delighted to update that Donald Watt has been successful in a competitive process and will step into an interim Adult Head of Service role working across Lorn & Islands Hospital and West Community Services in order to step beyond current working practices. Donald, who commenced in this post on 3 January 2025, is well known to many people across the HSCP and brings with him a great deal of experience and knowledge and I wish him well in his new role. Public Health Scotland publish weekly information on flu levels and their most recent report has highlighted that flu is still circulating at high levels across the country. I would remind people, who are eligible, that it’s still not too late to get your flu or COVID vaccination. You can find more information through NHS Inform or by calling the national vaccination helpline on 0800 030 8013. If you have symptoms of flu or other respiratory illnesses then it is important to stop them being spread to others. The latest advice about flu, including information about symptoms, vaccination and what to do is available on the NHS Inform website.
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3 Our Emergency Departments across Argyll and Bute are open 24/7 for emergencies such as a suspected heart attack or stroke and we prioritise patients with the greatest clinical need which can mean that some patients may wait longer than we would like. If you go to our Emergency Departments and these are not the most appropriate place for your care then our staff will direct you to a more appropriate service. Please remember that if your need is urgent but not an emergency then NHS 24 is available by calling 111 and they will guide you to the best source of care for your needs. Moving on to the details of my report I am delighted to be able to highlight that we have offered the General Medical Services (GMS) contract and Out of Hours (OOH) contract for Colonsay to Dr Clive Mast who is currently working in the Cowal area. We have also awarded the GMS and OOH contracts for Coll to Denny Cross Medical Practice who will be responsible for sourcing and providing GP contractors. These new contracts are really good news for the local communities served by the GP Practices concerned and will ensure that we continue to have high quality health professionals who will provide a safe, resilient and sustainable service. In my report I have also highlighted a recent event sponsored by the Alcohol and Drug Partnership. This event led to 50 people coming together in celebration of National Recovery Month to watch a sponsored screening of The Outrun movie (which tells the story of alcohol addiction) in the Campbeltown Picture House. It was great to hear about the local community coming together to highlight the work that is taking place locally to help people with alcohol and drug problems and my thanks go to Kintyre Recovery Group and everyone else involved in putting this event together. I was also very interested in the event held recently by the Mid Argyll Visual Impairment Social Group where those attending had an opportunity to learn and understand more about the challenges faced by individuals with sensory impairments. It also provided attendees with a heightened awareness of the needs and the barriers that are encountered. As per usual I have included in the National Updates section information on some of the recent key announcements from the Scottish Government and there are also web links where you can find out more details on these announcements. Thank you for taking the time to read my report and please feel free to contact me if you have any comments or suggestions for inclusion in future reports.
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4 HSCP Updates Isle of Coll to Welcome New GP Contractors We are absolutely delighted that after a robust procurement process, which included the involvement of community representatives from the island, we have been able to offer the General Medical Services contract and Out of Hours contract to Denny Cross Medical Practice. Denny Cross will be responsible for providing GP contractors who will deliver General Medical Services and Out of Hours services for the local communities on the island. I would also like to thank the previous GP Dr Celine O’Neill, who recently retired, for her commitment and hard work in delivering GP services for the communities served by the Practice. GP services on the island will continue to be delivered by locums until the new arrangements come into place on the 1 April 2025. Isle of Colonsay to Welcome New GP We are also really pleased that after a robust procurement process, which included the involvement of community representatives from the island, we have been able to offer the General Medical Services contract and Out of Hours contract for Colonsay to Dr Clive Mast. I would also like to thank the previous GP Dr Simon Willetts, who recently retired, for his commitment and hard work in delivering GP services for the communities served by the Practice. GP services on the island will continue to be delivered by locums until the new arrangements come into place on the 1 April 2025. Living Well Networks We have been continuing to work on the ways in which we link in with communities to ensure that local priorities are integral to the way in which we deliver our services. Over the last few years one of the ways we linked in was through the Argyll and Bute Living Well Networks (LWNs) which offered a platform for partners to connect with community members, services, local/national organisations committed to improving health and wellbeing. Information sharing over that time has however transformed through modern technology and digital solutions such as social media platforms, community forums, local newsletters, digital health apps and the Argyll and Bute Community Directory. The HSCP is also investing in the Community Assets for Living Well initiative which is focused on promoting healthy communities. This includes plans to further
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5 improve the community directory by developing a centralised and accessible platform for health and wellbeing information, resources, support, and services. The Community Links project is also expanding to more GP practices this year and connects individuals facing social, financial, and practical difficulties with community-based support. With the development of the above initiatives and the wider use of modern technology and digital solutions, coupled with our current financial pressures, we have taken the difficult decision to inform the LWNs that the networks will not continue after April 2025. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to our past and present LWN coordinators for their outstanding dedication and hard work and we will work with the LWNs over the coming months to help consider future opportunities for working with communities. There are exciting opportunities for exploring the development of ongoing relationships in Citizen or People Panels. Service Updates National Recovery Month Fifty people recently came together, in celebration of National Recovery Month, to watch a sponsored screening of The Outrun in the Campbeltown Picture House. This movie, starring Saoirse Ronan, tells the true life and hard hitting story of alcohol addiction and a journey back to Orkney based on the memoirs of Amy Liptrot. The event was sponsored by the Alcohol and Drug Partnership (ADP) and guests to the screening were treated to free mocktails and were welcomed to the event by members of the Kintyre Recovery Group. Kintyre Recovery Group, which was formed a year ago with support from the ADP, is made up of people in recovery who support each other with weekly get togethers and activities like walking groups. National Recovery Month in Scotland is where people come together to celebrate recovering from alcohol and drug problems. The recovery movement recognises the importance of raising awareness of the hope and optimism that comes from people supporting each other. New Pharmacy to Open in Campbeltown A joint consultation exercise was recently undertaken by NHS Highland and Zakpharma Ltd to gauge support for a pharmacy application in Campbeltown. Following the consultation a decision to grant the application was made by NHS Highland's Pharmacy Practice Committee on 1 November 2024. As of 4 December 2024, Zakpharma Ltd was able to progress opening their new pharmacy, which will be known as Campbeltown Pharmacy. They will be able to provide all NHS contracted services, as well as locally negotiated services, to members of the public. A date of opening has still to be confirmed.
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6 National Updates NHS 24 Resilience Over Festive Period An information campaign and increased recruitment of call handlers are among the initiatives NHS 24 has put in place to help protect vital front line health and care services over the festive period. First Minister John Swinney visited the NHS 24 call centre in Dundee to observe preparations ahead of the Christmas and New Year period and to express his gratitude to staff. Further information is available here. Public Satisfaction in Local Health Services The level of satisfaction with local health services has increased, the Scottish Household Survey 2023 showed. The proportion satisfied rose in a year from 64% to 67% and nearly nine in ten (87%) reported being treated with dignity and respect. Adults were more likely (78%) to express trust in the health system than any other public institution. Further information is available here. Additional Investment in General Practice An additional £13.6 million will be invested in General Practice this financial year to support GPs to retain and recruit key staff, Health Secretary Neil Gray has announced. Speaking at the annual conference of BMA Scotland’s Local Medical Committees, Mr Gray confirmed the immediate funding for 2024-25 will address known financial pressures, support staff costs and enable GPs to take on partners and salaried GP staff. Further information is available here. Carers Urged to Check for Financial Help Unpaid carers across the country are being encouraged to check their eligibility for financial support from Social Security Scotland. It is estimated that there are around 800,000 unpaid carers, including 30,000 under the age of 18, providing care for a family member, friend or neighbour in Scotland. Research also suggests that many do not see themselves as a carer, meaning they do not take up support they are entitled to. There are three payments delivered by Social Security Scotland dedicated to supporting unpaid carers. Further information is available here. News Argyll and Bute Carers Urged to Come Forward The HSCP was pleased to support Carers Rights Day at the end of November. This national event marks the massive commitment made by the many thousands of unpaid carers across the UK.
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7 1 in 6 adults have unpaid caring responsibilities for someone with a longstanding illness or disability. For many people, looking after a loved one who is ill, frail or disabled is something they do out of love and because it feels like the right thing to do. We also recognise the outstanding work carried out by local carer centres across Argyll and Bute. The Carers' Centres are run by charitable organisations and can support carers to complete an Adult Carer Support Plan or Young Carer Statement which helps identify a wide range of information, support and services that could benefit the carer. Further information is available here. Sight and Hearing Loss Festive Community Engagement Event The Mid Argyll Visual Impairment Social Group held a Christmas gathering on 9 December in Lochgilphead where those attending the event had an opportunity to learn and understand more about the challenges faced by individuals with sensory impairments. The HSCP’s Sensory Impairment Team was also in attendance to highlight equipment designed for individuals with sight and hearing loss. They also brought with them simulation glasses so that members of the public could experience what living with sight loss can feel like. Individuals experiencing visual impairments often encounter substantial obstacles in their daily lives, impacting activities such as reading, communication, and navigation within public environments. By engaging with and observing the challenges faced by individuals with sensory impairments, attendees at events such as this can develop a heightened awareness of the needs and the barriers that are encountered. Further information is available here. Blarbuie Woodland Walk Appeal The HSCP is seeking community support to maintain a key local asset - the Blarbuie Woodland Walk in Lochgilphead. While this site does not fall under HSCP services, we understand its significance to local walkers. Throughout the years the site has been managed and developed by local groups and organisations however, their departure has led to challenges in maintenance. To uphold public safety, the HSCP is responsible for mitigating risks and ultimately dismantling any unsafe structures on the site. We have been reaching out to the local community seeking groups or organisations that are interested in assisting us in taking over the management of the woodland walk. We kindly ask that all expressions of interest be submitted by 31 March 2025 by emailing nhs.abhscp@nhs.scot
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8 Staffing Updates Head of Service for Acute and Community Care Following an open process, Donald Watt (Senior Manager for Health & Community Care) has been appointed, in an interim position, as Head of Service covering Acute and Community Care across Oban, Mid-Argyll and Kintyre. Donald, who commenced in post on 3 January 2025, brings with him a great deal of experience and knowledge and I would like to wish him well in his new role.