Issue - meetings

The committee’s comments are needed on the data update, and the update to the Llechen Lân workstreams

To accept the report and the work programme but express concern about the magnitude of the demographic challenge highlighted in the latest data.

To recommend to the Cabinet Member that the Llechen Lân board should develop a detailed action plan with clear milestone priorities and measures of success with particular attention to the workforce, extra care housing, the financial sustainability of the programme, the development of preventive services and an innovative way of delivering care, the promotion of preventive self-care and collaborate with the education department to include young people in the work programme.

To provide the committee with a further update within 12 months on progress against the Llechen Lân board's priorities, including the latest data on inward migration and deaths, and the work programme to deal with recruitment and care workforce challenges.

The report was presented by the Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Well-being. Reference was made to the publication of the Llechen Lân report in September 2024, which outlined projections that would affect services for older people over the next 20 years. It was envisaged that the population would change over the next 20 years and would significantly affect the demand for care in Gwynedd. It was explained that there was a need to consider the ability to satisfy the need and predict the expected financial pressures. When considering the 2026 data update, there was concern that the actual situation would be more extreme and much worse than the original forecasts. It was explained that the report detailed the forecasts up to 2047.

-       Attention was drawn to the impact the population projections had on the workforce projections, and it was noted that the increase was alarming, bearing in mind the demand there would be for services and the need for staff to care for the older population.

-       It was trusted that the departments were delivering within the work programme but it was recognised that a great deal more needed to be done to deliver due to the increasing need over the next few years.

-       It was explained that there was a need to do more and create alternative strategies to be able to cope with future demand.

-       It was emphasised that more national attention was needed regarding this and to constantly refer to this over the coming years. 

Observations and questions were welcomed from Members;

-       In response to a question, it was confirmed that the projections were specific to Gwynedd and based on local data.  It was explained that people tended to live longer with an illness and needed more care for a longer period, which placed pressure on resources and services. It was noted that the healthy life expectancy age had fallen in Gwynedd, due to various factors such as being over-weight, and therefore there would be more people requiring care earlier. Emphasis was placed on the importance of preventative work to try and cope with the increasing challenges.

-       Concern was expressed about the content of the report and the vulnerable situation facing the county. There was a discussion regarding the lack of young people to serve older persons, and the departments were encouraged to act at once on the up-and-coming work programme. It was questioned why the Education Department was not actively involved with the work programme, and the importance of the younger generation. It was elaborated that the county's young people were core to the county's prosperity, and it was noted that the Education Department had a duty to ensure that young people receive the correct education of how to live a healthy life as part of the preventative work. It was argued that there was a need to promote the care careers to young people to attract them to the care workplace. It was noted that it was key to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7