Agenda item

Dr Nilika Perera, Associate Medical Director, Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust to provide an update at the meeting. Report attached.

Dr Nilika Perera, Associate Medical Director, Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust presented to the meeting information on the SGA (Single Gender Accommodation).

A paper presented to the Pennine Care Trust Board in September 2021, asked the Board to pause the implementation of Single Gender Accommodation in Older Adult Services, and consider an alternative configuration.

The previously agreed configuration indicated insufficient capacity to manage the gender split, specifically for female functional patients. As a result the clinical and operational team requested an alternative configuration be considered that continued to deliver single gender, single function, allowing for a functional and organic ward in each care hub in the South Division.

The report attached to the agenda pack set out the new proposed ward configuration in Older Adult Services.

The Health Scrutiny Committee had asked to note this update from Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust and the implementation of Singular Gender Wards for Older People. This builds on the update to the joint health overview and health scrutiny panel from Clare Parker, Executive Director of Nursing, Professional Leadership and Quality Governance.

Background information was provided that the NHS Operating Framework confirmed that all providers of NHS funded care are expected to eliminate mixed-sex accommodation, except where it is in the overall best interest of the patient.

Following an extensive programme of work, all Adult Inpatients wards across Pennine Care had successfully completed the transition to Single Gender Wards by January 2021.

The next phase of the reconfiguration would focus on ensuring compliance for the Older Adult wards across Pennine Care. A full review of the learning from the Adult Ward transition had been carried out and the learning will be taken forward into the Older Adult transition, especially recognising the importance of staff buy-in, effective gatekeeping processes and efficient flow through the wards.

An earlier proposal of the configuration was done, however, this highlighted insufficient capacity to manage the largest co-hort of patients, Female Functional. Following the agreement to pause the implementation, further detailed analysis had been carried out. This proposal had been developed by looking at the profile of historical demand for beds, against bed availability.

The Older People’s Delivery Group is responsible for overseeing the transition to Single Gender Accommodation for Older Adult Wards. A workshop had taken place to engage the MDT staff; ward mangers, service managers and medics along with Paul Lumsden and Sian Schofield had visited all the wards in March 2022. All staff were supportive of the recommended approach to establishing single gender accommodation in old age wards. There was a task and finish group reporting to the older adult delivery group.

A summary of the plans were:-

• The total number of beds have not changed
• The bed numbers are to meet the current and historical bed number requirements.
• The ward functionality has not changed and therefore staff job roles and expertise does not change.

Dr Perera explained the analysis had identified a number of benefits and risks to the new proposed configuration.

Councillors on the committee then asked a number of questions and these included why there was only one ward in Bury and it was reported that there would be a 10 bed ward available for male patients and this was a better provision than being provided for those who lived in south Manchester. An overview of a £0.5m upgrade of facilities to include single bedrooms rather than dormitories was provided with an offer for Members to visit the wards and view the welcoming environment and space for service users. The model was based on the quality of care and therapeutic environment rather than the number of beds available.

A Member asked where other facilities within the Greater Manchester area fitted in and it was reported that facilities at Meadowbrook in Salford was in a different area and the Woodlands falls under a different NHS Trust.

A question was asked on people being sectioned and information was provided on how people can be detained under the mental health act.

A Member praised the introduction of single gender wards to aid with privacy and this would be of preference to certain faith communities. It was reported that a review of data over the last 5 years indicated more functional beds were required and there should not be an overspill of patients.

A Member enquired if the local provision across Greater Manchester was high or low and it was reported that it was based on national projections and in the UK for the number of beds this area was in the top 25%.

In summary there would be 2 adult wards covering Bury north and south providing general adult and older adult services which would be single sex wards with 44 beds available.

The Chair asked that in the times of a cost of living crisis, what support was available to families for help with visiting if someone was stuck in the system. It was reported that there was no free transport to help assist with this and a future report would be brought back to this committee within the 2023-2024 Health Scrutiny work programme.

It was agreed:

          That the report be noted.