Forres transformation of services
Moray Integration Joint Board approves continuation of Forres service redesign work - 30.11.18
The progression of a new model of integrated health and social care for the Forres locality has been backed by the Moray Integration Joint Board (IJB).
Members heard yesterday (Thursday) how caring for people at home and close to home through improved joint working by staff from a range of disciplines is positively impacting on patients and their families by promoting independence, preventing avoidable crisis and inappropriate admission to hospital and supporting end of life care.
The Board approved continued funding for the test site in the Varis Court development in the town that explores an alternative option for the provision of in-patient health care. They also approved the commissioning of local nursing home beds – also for the next 12 months - to serve as a step-down setting for patients to continue their recovery and reablement on discharge from hospital.
The decision was also taken to make permanent the current temporary suspension of in-patient services at Leanchoil Community Hospital.
Pam Gowans, Chief Officer of Health and Social Care Moray, confirmed the IJB will liaise with the NHS Grampian Board – which owns the Leanchoil site – to develop options to ensure the building and site are most effectively utilised for the benefit of the local community.
“We have been on a bit of a journey in terms of testing ways of working and trying to push forward with integration at the point of delivery. We are not there yet but we are able to evidence some very good beginnings in terms of a sustainable model and we are seeking permission to continue with that and pick up the pace of change,” Ms Gowans said.
A public meeting held in Forres on Tuesday night to give an update on the redesign of health and social care services was attended by around 40 people. They were told that as there was no means to invest in the Leanchoil building, leaving a small unit on a derelict site which could not be safely staffed, the recommendation to the IJB was for the decommissioning and permanent closure of services.
The nursing staff from Leanchoil have chosen to move across to become part of the Forres Neighbourhood Care Team which supports people at home and in the Varis Court augmented care units.
The board heard that while there was some anxiety in the community, there was also a feeling that the way forward was the development of an alternative suite of bed based options as part of a wider system of care and support which is more flexible to people’s changing needs.
Health & Social Care Moray will continue to engage fully with the community as the redesign of services progresses.
The agenda reports for the meeting were:
There are also a number of background papers for information. Click on each title below to view.
Members heard yesterday (Thursday) how caring for people at home and close to home through improved joint working by staff from a range of disciplines is positively impacting on patients and their families by promoting independence, preventing avoidable crisis and inappropriate admission to hospital and supporting end of life care.
The Board approved continued funding for the test site in the Varis Court development in the town that explores an alternative option for the provision of in-patient health care. They also approved the commissioning of local nursing home beds – also for the next 12 months - to serve as a step-down setting for patients to continue their recovery and reablement on discharge from hospital.
The decision was also taken to make permanent the current temporary suspension of in-patient services at Leanchoil Community Hospital.
Pam Gowans, Chief Officer of Health and Social Care Moray, confirmed the IJB will liaise with the NHS Grampian Board – which owns the Leanchoil site – to develop options to ensure the building and site are most effectively utilised for the benefit of the local community.
“We have been on a bit of a journey in terms of testing ways of working and trying to push forward with integration at the point of delivery. We are not there yet but we are able to evidence some very good beginnings in terms of a sustainable model and we are seeking permission to continue with that and pick up the pace of change,” Ms Gowans said.
A public meeting held in Forres on Tuesday night to give an update on the redesign of health and social care services was attended by around 40 people. They were told that as there was no means to invest in the Leanchoil building, leaving a small unit on a derelict site which could not be safely staffed, the recommendation to the IJB was for the decommissioning and permanent closure of services.
The nursing staff from Leanchoil have chosen to move across to become part of the Forres Neighbourhood Care Team which supports people at home and in the Varis Court augmented care units.
The board heard that while there was some anxiety in the community, there was also a feeling that the way forward was the development of an alternative suite of bed based options as part of a wider system of care and support which is more flexible to people’s changing needs.
Health & Social Care Moray will continue to engage fully with the community as the redesign of services progresses.
The agenda reports for the meeting were:
- Forres Neighbourhood Health and Social Services
- Appendix 1 - Interim report: an analysis of the perceptions of key stakeholders involved in the Forres (Varis Court) Health and Social Care pilot project
- Appendix 2 - Culbin and Varis Medical Practices hospital data
- Appendix 3 - Supporting better quality health and social care for everyone in Scotland
- Appendix 4 - Moray Integration Joint Board direction to Grampian Health Board
There are also a number of background papers for information. Click on each title below to view.
Evaluation of new service model
Healthcare Improvement Scotland's Improvement Hub (ihub) supported Health & Social Care Moray and Hanover Housing to evaluate the community nursing model being piloted in Forres. The evidence and evaluation report, showing a reduction in the number and length of hospital admissions, was published in April 2019.
Healthcare Improvement Scotland's Improvement Hub (ihub) supported Health & Social Care Moray and Hanover Housing to evaluate the community nursing model being piloted in Forres. The evidence and evaluation report, showing a reduction in the number and length of hospital admissions, was published in April 2019.
| Evaluation of a new service model - Forres Neighbourhood Care Team (April 2019).pdf |
Edinburgh Napier University and University of Dundee final report: a stakeholder analysis of key participants involved in the Forres (Varis Court) Health and Social Care Pilot Project.
| Forres stakeholder analysis Dundee and Napier report |
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