Issue - meetings

Report by Carloyn Godfrey, Corporate Director.

Councillor Jerry Wickham presented the report which sought an endorsement of the Wiltshire End of Life Care Strategy as presented.

In presenting the report, Councillor Wickham highlighted the following matters: that the Strategy had been revised following the version adopted in 2014;  that the intention was to adopt a community approach to end of life care; what the impact of the national Strategy and local priorities on the Strategy was; the partnership approach with the Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group and the role of the voluntary sector; the consultation undertaken with Healthwatch and the recommendation to have an easy-read version of the Strategy; that an implementation plan would be developed; that it was a pity that Strategy had not been considered by the Health Select Committee in time to comment to this Cabinet, noting that it would be considering the Strategy at its meeting in June  to discuss the implementation of the Strategy.

Councillor Gordon King, Vice-Chair of the Health Select Committee, endorsed much of what Councillor Wickham said in highlighting the positive aspects of the Strategy. He also talked about his personal experience and what lessons could be learnt from the experience of others in the communities, with a particular focus on the areas that can be improved including making sure people have information about what happens next at each stage

Councillor Wickham thanked Councillor King for his feedback and looked forward to an opportunity to discuss these matters further.

The Leader stated that she was encouraged to see that the hospices are fully involved as part of the strategy and their role is better recognised. In response to a question from the Leader, Councillor Wickham stated that, whilst the issue of Delayed Transfers of Care was a complex matter, it was recognised within the strategy that delays to discharging someone to enable them to die at home should be a more streamlined matter. Additionally, Councillor Wickham stated that he would continue to monitor this matter.

In response to a matter raised by Councillor John Thomson, the Leader recognised that there was a wider debate, held at a national level, regarding assisting those who wished to hasten their own death.

There being no other matters raised, the meeting;

Resolved

To adopt the End of Life Care Strategy.

Reason for Decision:

To reinforce our commitment to improving and developing end of life care and support services across Wiltshire and to embed the recommendations from the National Palliative and End of Life Care Partnership ambitions framework, which builds on the 2008 Department of Health (DH) Strategy for End of Life Care.