Health and Social Care Committee

Inquiry into residential care for older people

RC8 – National Leadership and Innovation Agency for Healthcare (NLIAH)

Dear Sir/ Madam

Please find our response/ thoughts  below in relation to the above.

1) Other alternatives to ambulance / Accident and Emergency (A&E) need to be considered when patients fall or when residential homes are struggling to cope

2) There needs to be consideration and implementation of proper mechanisms and timeframes by which patients that have been admitted into hospital are assessed and discharged back into residential care

3) There needs to be appropriate forward planning – ie: realistic assessment of how long a patient will be able to stay in a residential setting before requiring a setting that provides additional care

4) Residential homes require further assistance and training in relation to infection control, as often ambulances are called to transfer patients into hospitals when with the correct help and support, they could be managed within the home

5) Clear criteria should be in place in relation to assessing a patient's need prior to returning to their residential home as the norm appears to be to reassess every time, regardless of the individual’s current condition

6) Consideration should be given to implementing a comprehensive multi-factorial risk assessment in relation to falls

Thank you. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you require additional information.

Regards

Sian Bolton

Cyfarwyddwr Gwella Gwasanaethau Dros Dro

Acting Service Improvement Director

Asiantaeth Genedlaethol Arwain ac Arloesi mewn Gofal Iechyd (AGAAGI)

National Leadership and Innovation Agency for Healthcare (NLIAH)

Tŷ Arloes

Innovation House

Ffordd Pen-y-bont

Bridgend Road

Llanharan

Llanharan

CF72 9RP

AGAAGI gwefan/NLIAH website: www.nliah.wales.nhs.uk