SHETLAND PUBLIC PARTNERSHIP FORUM Minutes of Meeting held on Monday 15 November 2010 in Islesburgh Room 12, 2.00 4.30 p.m. Present: In Attendance: Apologies: Barrie Jehu (Vice Chair), Janet Manson, Averil Simpson, Elma Polson, James Wiseman, Magnus Williamson, Laura Saunders, Colin Wiseman, Ian Smith, John Ridland, Camille Brizell and Edna Mary Watson Keith Simpson (item 5), John Hadland (item 6) and Ann Nicolson (Minutes) Ann Thomason, Beth Gerrard, Marilyn Harris, Christine Ferguson, Marilyn Bain, Max Barnett, Kate Massie, Chris Richards and Sandra Bigland 1. Welcome and Apologies Barrie welcomed everyone to the meeting and the apologies were given as noted. 2. Minutes of the Previous Meeting ( 4 October 2010) 2.1 Open Forum Item There was a correction to the wording of the Open Forum Item. It should read: Participation Standard is a self assessment process which is verified by the Scottish Health Council. PPF Members were advised that there was a need to identify a topic relating to service change for NHS Shetland to report on. 2 topics were presented as options: Clinical Strategy Pharmacy Applications. PPF members chose the Clinical Strategy as the preferred topic. 4. Matters Arising / Updates on Outstanding items 4.1 Lerwick Health Centre Appointments System Members noted that Lisa Sutherland, the Service Manager for Primary Care, was on the radio saying that the Lerwick Health Centre Appointments System had improved. Concerns were expressed that the appointment system may have improved for some but that there is 1
clearly a group of patients that the system does not suit. Miss Watson noted that Ms Sutherland would be assuming direct management responsibility for the Health Centre from December and will be looking at several issues around patient access to services Members noted that the current system was proving very difficult for people who did not have the time or opportunity to sit in and wait for a call from the GP. It was also noted that that patients sometimes had to wait to be seen after their appointment time. However, members also acknowledged that some people required longer time with their GP than others. It was noted that the Lerwick Health Centre has about the average number of GPs for a practice population of this size but that there is a very large demand for services. THE PPF had received a comment from a member of the public regarding access to the Levenwick Practice for collecting medicines and also to see a Doctor. It can be difficult for people without transport to collect prescriptions. There was concern that there is no evening surgery at Levenwick nor Saturday morning access; some people face problems getting to and from the surgery and others have to take the day off work to attend. Edna Mary said that she would discuss these issues with Ms Sutherland upon her return from leave as it was of concern if people were having difficulty in accessing services. 4.2 PPF Website Laura is looking into the possibility of a website and online community discussion forum for the PPF. This would enable people who cannot attend meetings to keep up to date and contribute through an on-line discussion forum. It would only be available to people who were members of the PPF a little bit like Shet Link. Laura has met with the ICT department of the Council to take this forward. Laura is looking to see if there is any funding to support the idea and will take back an update to the next meeting. Action Laura Camille said that an attempt is being made to set up a forum for PPFs at a national level. 4.3 Scottish Ambulance Service Consultation The consultation period on the re-procurement of the air ambulance service is open until the end of November. The Scottish Ambulance Service is also looking to work with all NHS Boards across Scotland. They will set up a meeting with NHS Shetland in December / January to see how services can work together better in the future for the benefit of the local population. The consultation papers were circulated previously and a hard copy of the Strategic Framework will be made available to PPF Members upon request. 2
5. Telecare 5.1 Keith Simpson (Telecare Project Manager) gave a presentation on Telecare/Telehealth and the different types of equipment available to keep people safe in their own homes for as long as possible. He gave a bit of background explaining about the home link system which is connected to a telephone line and how via this system a person could send an alarm call to either a carer or the response system. That alarm would trigger a response from a carer to call and see if the person required help. Technology is developing all the time and much improved devices are now available, such as smoke detectors, flood detectors and falls detectors which can all help promote independent lifestyles and can save lives. 5.2 There are sensors which can pick up the daily movements, of a person and what would be normal for them. If there is anything unusual in the readings it would trigger an alarm and a carer could intercept before the person came to any harm. There are also tracking devices which a person can wear to assist carers in locating the person should they have left their normal environment. This type of monitoring system would only be used with the persons consent. 5.3 There are door exit alarms which can send out a check message to the person as they go out to make sure they want to go out or a reminder prompt to ensure that they are wearing suitable clothes prior to leaving the house. 5.4 These devices do help vulnerable people stay safe but a full assessment of the individual is necessary first to see what was required. It is hoped that these devices will become common place for care services in the future. 5.5 Telehealth is different from Telecare and is designed for people with chronic health conditions. It will be piloted on some of the more remote islands and gives patients the opportunity to take their own health readings (e.g. pulse or blood pressure etc.) on a regular basis which can then be sent to their doctors. The doctors can then call the patient if necessary. People would require a telephone line and access to broadband to be able to use this system. If the system is successful there is the possibility to expand it further to support patients monitor and develop confidence in the self management of their condition. 6. Lifeline 6.1 John Hadland presented his report on the crisis intervention Lifeline pilot, which was run by Shetland Link Up for 18 months. The pilot is no longer operational. He explained that most people face ups and downs in their lives and are able to cope through the support and help of their friends and family, or through other coping mechanisms. As 3
long as those networks / mechanisms are in place people can cope. On occasions some people s coping strategies fail and then there is a crisis and they struggle. 6.2 He explained what a crisis felt like. When people were unable to cope they needed help to turn their lives around. They can feel isolated; they do not want to have diagnoses of mental illness so are reluctant to ask for help and thoughts of suicide may creep in. Individuals want help but wish to maintain their anonymity and are therefore more likely to contact a voluntary organisation. Lifeline was able to guarantee confidentiality initially, but as they were bound by legislation if the situation was unmanageable they had to contact a statutory agency. 6.3 Mr Hadland circulated handouts giving the history and roots of the project and a summary of the evaluation. The service was shaped after consultation with service users in 2006. They were looking for an accessible, available, immediate response; they wanted to be able to access the service themselves, immediately, at key times - 24 hours a day. Having to wait through the process of referral, assessment, waiting list and then obtaining an appointment could take days or weeks. Early intervention and talking when people were ready to talk was important. They wanted someone to be there for them that they trusted. Respondents felt they were more likely to use a service run by a voluntary organisation. 6.4 There were detailed procedures for lone working. There was no time limit on a call from support workers. They listened, kept people safe and made them more resilient to ask for agency help. 6.5 Shetland Link Up had a remit to provide a service for 18 months and they have carried out an evaluation. Research among those who had used the services; people known as carers; people who had referred people to the service and employees, showed that the service had been well received. If members of the PPF want a copy of the evaluation please e-mail Shetland Lifeline. 6.6 When the service stopped, Accident and Emergency reported a significant increase in the number of people turning up there with personal issues. Mr Hadland noted that Shetland Lifeline had been quite a cost effective way to help. It was hoped that the service could be resurrected, but there is no money available meantime. The 24/7 service cost 31,000 per year when it started, but in order to properly staff the service it would cost approximately 100,000 per year. It was recognised that in the current economic situation that this was not a good time to be asking for money as SIC, NHS and Shetland Charitable Trust all have savings to identify and a number of other services which they need to fund. It was noted that the NHS is looking at out of hours and crisis services. Mr Hadland felt Lifeline was an affordable solution and that it would be considered in the review. 4
6.7 Mental Health provision will be reviewed as part of the Clinical Strategy and the SIC and NHS, through the Mental Health Partnership, will be looking at any gaps in the service. Phase 2 of the Clinical Strategy has begun and the final draft will be presented to the Health Board in February 2011. 7. Open Forum There was no discussion under this heading. 8. Election of Committee Members Nomination papers were circulated for nominations for Committee officers. Barrie Jehu is the elected Vice Chair, who is currently acting as Chair after Carol Johnson resigned. People were asked to make nominations for the vacant positions. As there was a low attendance at the meeting it was agreed to circulate papers, calling for nominations with the minutes and that nomination papers could then be considered at the next meeting. Barry proposed that he be Chair and that people make nominations for Vice- Chair and CHP representative. Copies of the Working Agreement were available on request. 9. Future Topics for PPF There was no further discussion under this item. 10. Date of Next Meeting There was discussion about the scheduled date for the next meeting and it was decided that 31 January 2011 would be the better date. Ann N is to ask Members to say what time would suit them best when she circulates the minutes. There was a request for tea and biscuits at the next meeting. Action Ann 5