Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Councillor R Medwyn Hughes and Councillor Peter Reid 

To receive any declarations of personal interest.

The following declarations of personal interest were received, as the individuals/their families had been involved with the Occupational Therapy Service in their personal lives:  

Councillor Menna Baines 

Councillor Eryl Jones-Williams 

Councillor Cai Larsen 

Councillor Linda Morgan 

Councillor Angela Russell 

To note any items that are a matter of urgency in the view of the Chair for consideration.

None to note

The Chairman shall propose that the minutes of the previous meeting of this committee held on the 26th November, 2020 be signed as a true record.

The Chair signed the minutes of the previous meeting of this Committee held on 26 November, 2020 as a true record. 

Cabinet Member – Councillor Dafydd Meurig

To consider a report on the above  (attached).

To accept the content of the report and thank Councillor Dafydd Meurig, Aled Davies, Mari W Jones and Matthew Hawes and the team for their very hard work. It was agreed to monitor the effect of Covid-19 on the demand for the occupational therapy service, and the impact of this on the service.

A report was submitted by the Occupational Therapy Lead (OTL) giving an overview of the work of the Occupational Therapy Service as well as the challenges as a result of Covid-19.   

It was noted that Covid had had a huge impact on the Service, and the projections suggested that there would be a tremendous increase in the demand for the service.   It was added that the increase was as a result of the number that had been shielding during the Covid period, and had not been contacting the service timely and the long-term effects of Covid on the health of individuals.  It was noted that the service needs to develop to be more proactive in order to achieve what is important to the individual.  It was also noted that giving preventative support would be more cost effective to the Council.    

The OTL introduced himself to the meeting.  He has been appointed to the role since a one year period.  The OTL noted that he had had an opportunity over the last year to review the OTS and note priorities for the next twelve months to ensure more effective service, with the emphasis on preventative services and sustainable and recoverable skills.  He added that staying still is not an option and that which is of importance is to have a service of standard which offers value for money to the individual and Council.  He elaborated that there had been gaps in the service in terms of staff as a result of the retirement of two very experienced officers and many away on maternity leave, however they had managed to recruit to all posts. 

During the discussion the following matters were raised:-  

·                In response to a question regarding an individual’s pathway from hospital and collaboration between Health and the Council, the OTL noted that it was the hospital that commenced the work with the individual. One problem as a result of Covid was the pressure on hospitals to discharge clients, including some with complex needs.    Work is being carried out to review the input of OT to support the releasing from hospital effectively.  The Covid period has been an opportunity to learn and adapt, and looking back it is possible to see that we have missed opportunities to stop individuals from having to be admitted to hospital.      

·                In response to a question, the OTL confirmed that there were enough staff in terms of Occupational Therapists to deliver the essential duties and they did their work particularly well, however, he did not have the capacity to do enough of the preventative and proactive work with the current team.   

·                In response to a question regarding recruitment, the OTL confirmed that recruiting to OT posts within the Council has been difficult in the past.  The opportunity to work in the field of health, education and the private sector all competed against each other.  He noted that working for the Council had to be made to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.