What action is the Welsh Government taking to monitor the implementation of the National Framework for Continuing NHS Healthcare in Wales?
The ‘Continuing NHS Healthcare - the National Framework for implementation in Wales’ (2021) refers to a National Performance Framework, forming part of the governance and accountability arrangements for CHC in Wales.
Discussions are underway to re-establish the performance framework which was stepped down during the pandemic as part of the steps taken to reduce system pressure.
Officials will work with stakeholders to establish the best way forward to create an integrated all-Wales approach to data collection, whilst working with partners to scope out and develop an implementation plan for a new performance framework over the autumn and winter months.
In the meantime, work is being undertaken and reported back through the CHC workstream under the Value and Sustainability Board to review high-cost patient placements. Next steps include the proposal to facilitate the use of a standardised reporting system across all health boards in Wales, potentially using one software platform to collect performance data. The decision made on this is relevant to any proposal to create an updated CHC Performance Framework.
Officials also have regular bi-monthly meetings with CHC Leads within all health boards, where reporting on implementation is a standard item.
Under current legislation and policy, local authorities and health boards are required to work together and to provide individuals with voice and control in respect of their health and social care needs.
The ‘Continuing NHS Healthcare - the National Framework for implementation in Wales’ refers to Individual User Trusts (IUT) as an option to ensure voice and control for an individual.
The Framework states that health boards should consider a range of options to ensure voice and control for the individual, including IUTs, whereby a health board could consider providing funding to an IUT to manage an individual’s care.
To support delivery, officials are currently drafting IUT guidance documents for practitioners which will be circulated to all health boards in the coming weeks.
IUTs are seen as an interim option ahead of the Health and Social Care (Wales) Bill, which proposes introducing direct payments for continuing health care.