Agenda item

Report and Presentation by Director of Commissioning Strategy and Delivery

The Director of Commissioning, Strategy and Delivery gave a presentation on the Review of Inpatient Rehabilitation in County Durham and Darlington.

It was reported that inpatient rehabilitation was delivered across a number of sites; that a review of the models of care was being undertaken to ensure inpatient facilities were being used effectively; and that Ward 6 at Bishop Auckland Hospital was identified for review, with a focus on the current utilisation against best practice and clinical standards.

Members were advised that ward 6 was a nurse led ward with 24 beds, providing step down care; the ward had been initially set up for stranded patients aged 18 and over and had evolved to include non-weight bearing patients, homeless people, patients with complex needs and those waiting for packages of care or social work assessment; that there was no dedicated rehabilitation support available for the ward; and that patients appeared to be inappropriately transferred to ward 6 due to acute bed pressures.

Members were advised that engagement had been undertaken with patients and carers on their experience of the ward; the current model of inpatient rehabilitation care was not standardised; and an options appraisal had been undertaken. The options appraisal determined that the preferred option was for the functionality of the ward to be changed to an inpatient rehabilitation unit, with a reduction in beds by eight.

Members were advised of the next steps; that public consultation would take place from 7 October for a period of ten weeks; and the outcomes of the consultation would be considered by the Clinical Commissioning Groups and Trust in the new year.

RESOLVED – That the Director of Commissioning, Strategy and Delivery be thanked for the presentation and the content be noted.