Agenda item

To accept and note the information in the report.

The report was submitted by Cllr. W Gareth Roberts

RESOLVED

To accept and note the information in the report.

DISCUSSION

The report was submitted noting that the department had been taking steps in order to reintroduce and re-examine the way it offers services to the residents of Gwynedd. It was added that the department had been pioneering and active and that it was continuing to develop in order to reach the end of the journey. It was added that, in future, preventative work would be prioritised in order to fulfil people's wishes and to provide early intervention.

It was added that preventative work would address the department's financial problems. It was noted that the department had received funding for temporary projects from the Government, but often the benefits were long-term and the projects were expected to continue after the grant ended through the core budget. This was not always possible.

It was stressed that the department's main challenge was people living longer and a higher number of people with dementia. It was added that work had been done to address the challenges in some areas and specifically on providing high standard dementia support. The importance of providing this care in all areas of Gwynedd was stressed, in order to ensure that support was available close to individuals' homes. It was added that this work was being carried out jointly with Health, and that they were working as one service to support the individual's needs.

It was noted that the number of individuals unable to be discharged from hospital on time because of social reasons had fallen over the past three months. It was noted that working together and the development of the community resources teams were the reasons for this. As well as developing domiciliary care schemes in the Tywyn and Pwllheli area. It was added that Hafod y Gest, namely extra care housing in Porthmadog, had now opened its doors. It was noted that the 'Bridging the Generations' project was progressing well. This was a scheme that brought children, young people and older people together. It was added that the individuals who had taken part had enjoyed the scheme.

Attention was drawn to one major challenge which was emerging across the North, namely the lack of psychiatrists, specifically in Meirionnydd and Arfon. It was noted that this had been escalated to the Health Board for further discussions.

Observations arising from the discussion

-        It was asked whether it would be possible to combine two projects - Hafod y Gest, Porthmadog and Bridging the Generations, as Ysgol Eifion Wyn was so close to the Hafod y Gest building. It was noted that discussions were taking place with Grŵp Cynefin on this matter, and it was added that the Hafod y Gest location was a Hub available to the entire community. It was added that the individuals staying there could also continue to attend activities within the community in the library and the leisure centre as the building was so central.

-        There was a discussion around using teenagers as well for the Bridging the Generations scheme, as well as young children.

-        Attention was drawn to the Health Board reassessing all its CHC plans and there was a possibility that contributions would fall with the cost being transferred to local authorities. The current situation was explained, and a discussion was underway. It was added that Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) was paying, on average, a higher rate in Gwynedd than any other county. It was noted that it may be a good idea to have a mediator as part of the discussions between the CHC and the Council. It was added that clear criteria were needed for funding care packages so that the rules were entirely clear in relation to who funded which elements.