Agenda item

To receive an overview of the systems that have been put in place by Hampshire County Council, Borough and District Councils, the Hampshire CVS (Council for Voluntary Service) Network, the wider voluntary sector and other partners to meet the needs of those people during the Covid-19 pandemic period.

The Board received a presentation from the Director of Adults’ Health and Care at Hampshire County Council alongside a report on welfare response arrangements.

Members heard a tribute to NHS partners, carers, and voluntary sector organizations supporting a significant number of clinically vulnerable residents.  Food and pharmacy deliveries were arranged where friends, family or neighbours were not available.  Volunteer support continued to be referred via business as usual services.  Collaboration arrangements are in place now, however this was a tall task for the department.

Compliments have been received around delivery of food and reassurance.  People have appreciated those outward-bound calls and colleagues have worked to avoid duplication.  Sharing information with districts and Voluntary Care Sector (VCS) allowed for the provision of comprehensive support.  While some people may have been called twice, it was preferable to do so and ensure services had been offered. 

The length of time people have been spending in lockdown has had an impact on financial hardship advice requests in call centres and an increase in and additional support for domestic abuse and hidden issues.  Call centre operatives have been experienced, sensitive to the issues, and offered resources and help.  Support has been provided for people with substance abuse and rough sleepers. 

Food box support for the shielded is coming to an end in July but more work remains to be done.  Enhancing independence and supporting people through issues that have developed with staying home so long will be key priorities, alongside caring for mental health and wellbeing.  Adults’ Health and Care will continue to support carers and provide day opportunities as well as domiciliary care.  The department has been contacted by a much larger group of older adults than prior to Covid and there have been challenges with hard to reach groups (including rough sleepers) to continue to provide services. The additional numbers referred did not include people that were already receiving help. 

In response to questions, Members heard:

A shared purpose and collaboration led to a quick and easy response to come together to address these particular challenges, but it will be vital to take this work forward.  The voluntary sector would like to be engaged in planning discussions early and navigate challenges regarding to reopening, transport, capacity, etc. 

There have been no real surprises in the figures.  There is continued learning and work on accessibility alongside VCS, districts, and boroughs.  More work remains especially in the areas of protecting BAME residents and key workers, rough sleepers, etc.  Local community-based organizations have stepped up to provide support.  The local resilience forum collaboration has brought in every representative group to have as much line of sight as possible, including the faith community, Good Neighbour volunteers, and other grassroots groups. 

In the early weeks there had been challenges with clarity about those out there that potentially needed help.  Based on shielded and secondary lists from local authorities, some residents may have gotten multiple calls for support but there is more concern for those who may have fallen through the cracks.  In the event of a second wave, that information would be key.  

Data sharing now considers all those complexities and there will not be confusion going forwards.  Initially, people who did not give permission to share data had their details protected and they could not be shared.  Information and advice from government and getting that information quickly was remarkable but to feed them in for General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) would have needed retrofitting.  Lists were being created from hospitals with an amazing response with social prescribers supporting them and constructing personalized care plans.  It was an important learning curve and there is now an algorithm to find those at high risk in the event of a second or local outbreak. 

RESOLVED:  

That the Health and Wellbeing Board--

• Notes the work that has taken place to date by the public and voluntary sector organisations and their partners in Hampshire to support the needs of its most vulnerable citizens and the wider community.
• Is assured by the systems that have been put in place across Hampshire, as set out in this report, to support the county’s most vulnerable residents as well as the wider community during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Chairman called for a 5-minute break at this time.