County Councillor Easson declared a personal, non-prejudicial interest pursuant to the Members’ Code of Conduct regarding agenda item 4.  Older Adults Mental Health Services - Scrutiny of the proposed way forward for Chepstow and the Community Hospital, as a family member is a patient at St. Anne's, Chepstow.

County Councillor J. Pratt declared a personal, non-prejudicial interest pursuant to the Members’ Code of Conduct regarding agenda item 4.  Older Adults Mental Health Services - Scrutiny of the proposed way forward for Chepstow and the Community Hospital, as her brother Professor Richard Griffiths works for the Health Service and lectures internationally, including in Wales.

The following points were raised in respect of the closure of the dementia ward at Chepstow hospital:

·         Since 2008, residents have seen the demise of and stripping away of the hospital’s facilities.

·         Concern was forcefully expressed to the representatives from Aneurin Bevan University Health Board regarding the removal of services such as the minor injuries unit and the dementia ward.

·         The closure of the dementia ward is distressing for people with dementia receiving treatment at the hospital, as it can be a confusing time for them.

·         The cost of converting the original wards to a dementia ward was requested.

·         Several meetings have been held over previous years regarding this matter with the public.  At a meeting at St. Cadoc’s, the public were invited but Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (ABUHB) was unable to address the public.

·         It was considered that a number of promises made by ABUHB had not come to fruition.

·         Concern was expressed for the long term future of Chepstow hospital. As a community, Chepstow is growing but the services being provided by the hospital are being stripped away.

·         The community plan, established in 2008, was to bring the community of Chepstow closer together.  However, this does not seem to be the case based on recent events.

·         The hospital is an important facility for Chepstow and for south east Wales.  However, fewer services will create difficulties within the community.

·         An open discussion is required regarding the PFI contract.  Concern was expressed that cost implications were driving clinical decisions.

·         Residents would like to hear what the general management plan is for the future of Chepstow hospital.

·         People will be required to travel long distances to obtain the services no longer being provided by Chepstow hospital.

Context:

To outline the process undertaken and an update on progress to date by the Monmouthshire Integrated Services Partnership Board regarding the expenditure of the £200,000 investment from Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (ABUHB) to further develop an integrated model of support for older people with a mental health need.

In October 2017, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board considered a report on Older Adult Mental Health Services and approved a proposal to publicly consult on the redesign of Older Adult Mental Health Services across the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board region. The twelve week consultation period finished at the end of January 2018 and a report presenting feedback from the public consultation and recommendations on taking forward the redesign of services was received and approved by the Health Board on 21^st March 2018.

Key Issues:

Policy and Partnership Context

The Dementia Action Plan for Wales (2018) envisages a ‘dementia friendly nation that recognises the rights of people with dementia to feel valued and to live as independently as possible in their communities’. The Action Plan sets out the Welsh Government’s commitment to promoting the rights, dignity and autonomy of people living with dementia and the people who care for them.

The Gwent Dementia Board, reporting to the Greater Gwent Health, Social Care and Well-being Partnership has developed a Strategic Action Plan for the period 2018-2022 which supports the delivery at local level of the necessary measures to improve support to address the key issues:

• A widespread lack of knowledge and understanding of dementia amongst professionals and the wider public.

• A lack of flexibility to effectively meet the needs of people living with dementia and their carers.

• A lack of co-operation between services creates unnecessary barriers for people living with dementia and their carers.

The Action plans have been developed as a result of extensive work carried out nationally , including ‘Dementia: More Than Just Memory Loss’ -  The experiences of people living with dementia and those who care for them (2016) and ‘Rethinking Respite for People Affected by Dementia’(2018) – Older Peoples Commissioner for Wales.

The Integrated Services Partnership Board (ISPB) is the Monmouthshire local partnership of the Greater Gwent Health, Social Care and Well-being Partnership, and is jointly chaired by the Chief Officer for Social Services and the Director of the Primary and Community Care Division of the Health Board. The Head of Adult Services, and Service Manager, All Age Disability and Mental Health, and the Director of Mental Health and Learning Disabilities for the Health Board are also members.

The ISPB established an officer group to consider the priorities for the expenditure of the £200,000, specifically allocated to further develop an integrated model of support for older people with a mental health need which was consistent with the respite and support recommendations within the strategic and advisory documents. The remit was extended to include local residents with a functional mental illness as well as those with a dementia diagnosis, as many services provided in the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3b

The Select Committee agreed to defer consideration of this matter to a future meeting of the Select Committee.