Presentation of NHS Darlington CCG
Minutes:
Karen Hawkins, Director of Commissioning and Transformation, NHS Darlington CCG gave a presentation to update Members on the Stroke Rehabilitation Service Review following her presentation to Members in March 2018.
The presentation referred to the review of the current stroke rehab pathway and empathised the importance of engagement as a crucial part of understanding the views of patients, public and carers to inform any future decision making.
The Director of Commissioning and Transformation outlined the engagement methodology which included patient surveys carried out on the wards at Bishop Auckland Hospital and the University Hospital of North Durham and engagement with the carer groups across County Durham and Darlington. It was reported that unfortunately there had only been 66 responses to date so additional funding had been secured to undertake further engagement to maximise input.
The presentation also highlighted emerging themes and next steps following the engagement activity.
Members discussed one of the emerging themes that there was a lack of support once patients are discharged from hospital and were concerned at the lack of response to the engagement activity. Members were also keen to see that patients who had already been through the system were being captured in the engagement exercise for their feedback on the service and also that the Stroke Association had been contacted. Members confirmed that engagement with patients and user of the service was critical and that information is fed back to participants of the review with service developments.
The Chair advised Members that she had met with the Stroke Club on 22 October and confirmed that lack of support following discharge from Bishop Auckland Hospital was a recurring theme. She also advised Members that she was still trying to make contact with the Darlington Stroke Recovery Service.
Members also discussed the potential lack of general knowledge around services for patients of stroke and lack of signposting and agreed that promotion of the pathways was also key. They also wanted confirmation that General Practitioners were aware of the services available to signpost patients.
The Public Health Principal advised Members that mortality rates of stroke had decreased, however there were still a high number of risk factors which General Practitioners were good at picking up.
RESOLVED – (a) That the thanks of this Scrutiny Committee be extended to the Director of Commissioning and Transformation for her informative presentation and Members welcome the Review.
(b) That Scrutiny Members continue to receive regular updates.