18.12.17
Trafford services show a 'real commitment' to transformation and integration
Following a review of health and care services in Trafford, the CQC has praised the efforts shown by providers in the area.
The regulator said there had been significant improvements in performance over the past year, when service integration was at a very low point.
However, patients were likely to experience long stays in hospital due to a shortage of services available to look after their needs when they are discharged.
While there were systems and services in place to support people as they prepared to come out of hospital, there was insufficient capacity in homecare services to meet demand.
Professor Steve Field, chief inspector of general practice at the CQC, said that Trafford showed a “real commitment” to transform and integrate services.
He also confirmed that the area was a lot further along with integration than other parts of the country, in part thanks to the Greater Manchester devolution bid, but said leading organisations needed to ensure people were receiving a better service while improvement continues.
“This review tells us that there are missed opportunities to support people where they live, with too many ending up in hospital unnecessarily,” Field commented. “We also found that people in Trafford often stay longer than they should, due to a shortage of homecare packages and affordable, high-quality residential care.
“Our team found that operation staff were willing and enthusiastic about change and doing the right thing for people, but people’s individual needs could be better catered for.
“The reorganisation of the system in Greater Manchester provides a unique opportunity to transform the health and social care landscape, we will know that is paying off when all providers in Trafford – whether NHS, primary care or social care - are working together effectively to help people remain living at home, and out of hospital unless it is absolutely necessary.”
The CQC report recommended that services stay focused on current provisions as the Winter period approaches to ensure improvements in performance can be sustained in the long-term.
It also suggested the region implement a whole system approach to the social care market and a review of admissions criteria to intermediate care services in order to ensure consistency and effectiveness of service provision.
Responding to the report Cllr John Lamb, chair of Trafford’s Health and Wellbeing Board, commented: “Preparing the action plan report required by the CQC is our top priority. Our plan will address the recommendations made by the watchdog and will take on board its findings.
“We always knew we had a good vision but it needed time to evolve. There have already seen significant improvements in the delayed transfer of care as we continue on our journey of transformation.”
Matt Colledge, chair of NHS Trafford Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), added: “Trafford CCG welcomes the opportunity the CQC review offered us all to consider how we best improve the experience for all our patients and people of Trafford. The CCG is supportive of the work being led by the Health and Wellbeing Board.”