My Home Focus Group: 6th June 2024

• Item 1.

  Coproduction in Suffolk and other focus group work

• Item 2.

  Accommodation and support

• Item 3.

  Home First: Support to go home after the hospital

• Item 4.

  Any other business

Guest Speakers

• Item 1. Andrea Clark

  Ace Anglia

• Item 2. Sarah Perin Assistant Director Service Development & Contracts Adult and Community Services

  Chair of My Home Focus group

Item 1. Co-production in Suffolk

• You said (Family Carer)

  We must prioritise the vision of providing the right support from the right people at the right time in everything we do.

• Response

  It's important to work together to find solutions to challenges.

• You Said (Self-advocate)

  Talking about independence is important but only sometimes achievable because everyone is different.

• Response

  We need to make sure we understand what each person needs, so they can have what they need and be as independent as possible.

Item 2. Accommodation and support

• A provider representative said

  It could be really helpful to have a roadmap showing how everything fits together. By publishing some strategies, we can identify any gaps and have a clear understanding of our actions.

• Response

  Sarah made the point about uploading important documents to the Ordinary Lives website. Creating a roadmap for engagement and setting end dates for tasks would also be useful.

• A family carer said

  The Suffolk Ordinary Lives website already has a section for resources, so perhaps it just needs to be organised differently.

• A Board representative said

  We all have a responsibility to inform people, families, and providers that they can share their views and opinions through the focus groups.

• A self-advocate said

  I would like to be part of the task and finish groups.

• Response

  –

Item 3. Support to go home after the hospital

• A family member said

  When my brother came out of the hospital, our family didn't receive any communication about what had happened. I'm wondering if there are plans to involve families in these situations.

• Response

  We need to build this into the plan when thinking about the reablement offer. It should already be a part of the process.

• –

• Reablement

  Reablement focuses on independence and goals, helping you return to yourself before you went into hospital.

• A self-advocate said

  I had major surgery a few years ago. I had to stay in the hospital for 6 weeks. Because I live in an upstairs flat. I also gained 2 stone while I was in the hospital.

• –

Item 3. Support to go home after the hospital

• A family member said

  Things can quickly go wrong in the hospital if people or their families aren't asked. Without a "Triangle of Care," the plan can be clinician-led.

• Response

  We need to have conversations about this. It's important to have a strong plan to help people transition from hospitals.

Item 3. Support to go home after the hospital

• A provider representative said

  Good support means being on time, arriving when expected, and knowing what tasks to perform. It's functional and not emotional.

• Response

  We are aiming for a holistic approach to support people in getting back out into the community. Social inclusion and the softer aspects are fundamental to independence.

• A Board representative said

  Is it worth finding out about people's bad experiences so we can understand the issues and find solutions?

• Response

  We need easy-to-understand information to inform people about available options. It’s important to get feedback about what didn't work for people.

• A Board representative said

  When a person leaves the hospital, it's important that the assessor understands the person and supports them through the assessment. It's about creating a strong, inclusive plan.

• Response

  As part of the pilot, we have a weekly operational steering group. The Learning Disability team lead, alongside Home First, ensures a smooth handover and checks the planning.

Item 3. Support to go home after the hospital

• A family carer said

  Are fewer people with learning disabilities leaving the hospital?

• Response

  There are three different support pathways upon discharge: Reablement, Intermediate care, and more complex care. People with learning disabilities are not being identified through these pathways.