Your City Council
RESPONSE BY LISBURN CITY COUNCIL TO THE SAFETY, QUALITY AND SUSTAINABILITY – MODERNISING HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE SERVICES IN THE SOUTH EASTERN TRUST DOCUMENT
INTRODUCTION
The South Eastern Trust on the 4 June 2010 (received by Lisburn City Council on 10 June) issued for consultation Proposals contained in Safety Quality and Sustainability – Modernising Health and Social Care Services in the South Eastern Trust. Given that the consultation period, which was scheduled to close on 27 August 2010, was conducted over the summer months and that the Belfast Trust issued a major consultation document on 5 July, the Council asked for a two week extension on the consultation period.
The Council notes with regret and disappointment that this request was not acceded to given the potential far-reaching impact of the Trusts proposals and the timing of the Consultation period.
Following discussion by Members at its meeting held on 21 June 2010, the Council gave delegated authority to the Right Worshipful the Mayor, Alderman Paul Porter and the Chairman of Corporate Services Committee Councillor William Leathem and relevant Officers to prepare a response to the above document.
This response has been prepared accordingly.
COMMENTS
The consultation document has been divided into 3 major areas: -
- Mental Health Services
- Disability Services
- Emergency Department, Downe Hospital
The Council has structured its response accordingly and in addition has made some overarching points, which have been considered as relevant to the overall context of the Trust’s proposals.
OVERARCHING COMMENTS
It is concerning that the proposals contained in this document were formulated on the basis of the savings to be made by the Trust under the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) with the further austerity measures recently announced still to be taken into account.
The document refers to the issue of partnership working with statutory, community and voluntary sectors and in promoting the use of partnership working, the Trust needs to ensure that the appropriate resources are put in place to facilitate this and that no further or undue pressures are put on the already stretched community and voluntary organisations and that service levels are not diminished.
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
Lisburn City Council welcomes the proposal to relocate acute inpatient care to a Lagan Valley Hospital, which has the largest City population in the Trust area. However, this is on the basis that there is no displacement or diminution of other services at the Lagan Valley Hospital and that the Trust ensures that there is sufficient capacity to cover any additional demands made on the Lagan Valley Hospital.
The Council recognises that transport and travel is a particular issue for the carers of the services users and mindful of this, the Trust is requested to ensure that adequate transport and support arrangements are put in place.
Further, the Council also seeks assurances from the Trust that the displacements process is properly and sensitively managed.
Finally it is noted that the consultation paper refers to the provision of mental health services for those aged over 18 and the Council calls for a Northern Ireland wide strategy for the provision of comprehensive mental health services to those aged under 18.
DISABILITY SERVICES
Lisburn City Council welcomes the sentiment contained in the document but the absence of detail provides little reassurance that the needs of day care users and their carers (including the use of respite facilities) are to be met.
Given the age profile and the increased life expectancy of people with a learning disability, it is important that the Trust examines the long-term care arrangements for adults with a learning disability especially when it is apparent that individual care arrangements are not sustainable. Any such arrangements must be made in consultation with the individual and his / her carer (s).
In relation to day care arrangements, the Trust in reviewing these should ensure that the current number of days allocated in each individual case will, at the very least, be maintained.
With regards to the proposed reconfiguration of day care services for People with a Learning Disability, Lisburn Adult Resource Centre is a flagship facility which should be replicated across the Province and as a state of the art facility, the Trust should ensure that the its capacity is maintained and enhanced as appropriate with continued proper resources allocated.
In respect of respite arrangements, the Trust should ensure that adequate and accessible arrangements are put in place right across the Trust area which meet the needs of both individuals and their carers and such services should be promoted as a means of further sustaining current care arrangements.
The Council would also wish to refer the Trust to the comments made in relation to partnership working as outlined the “Overarching Comments” section above.
EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT, DOWNE HOSPITAL
With regards to the proposals outlined, the Council notes with concern that the Trust is: -
“...currently reviewing provision across all its hospitals including the Ulster, Ards, Bangor, Downe and Lagan Valley Hospitals.”
Lisburn City Council wishes to see such services retained at Lagan Valley Hospital to serve the needs to the City of Lisburn and beyond and calls on the Trust to ensure that the appropriate resources and services are allocated Lagan Valley Hospital in order to ensure that the Emergency Department continues to be sustainable and can continue to attract suitably qualified and experienced medical staff.
The Council notes that in drawing up its proposals in relation to the Emergency Department of the Downe Hospital, the Trust relies on Developing Better Services (DHSSPS 2002) and given that this document dates back to 2002, the Council requests that the Trust fundamentally review this document.
The Council also takes this opportunity to reiterates its opposition to the proposal emanating from this in respect of the Accident and Emergency Department at Lagan Valley Hospital.
CONCLUSION
Lisburn City Council looks forward to hearing from the South Eastern Trust following full consideration of the issues raised in response to the proposals made in consultation document.