Task Groups

Task groups are time limited groups that meet to look at an emerging issue of concern by looking at existing policies relating to the issue, comparing real life experience with those policies, identifying gaps and finally producing a report that is sent to commissioners and providers. These reports must have a response back within 20 working days.

Task groups currently being undertaken are;

  • Access to Services for Self Harm and Suicide Prevention.  Interim report on suicide prevention in preparation
  • Access to Patient Transport Services.  Report in preparation  

Outcomes from task group reports

Discharge task group

The Discharge task group looked at the whole care pathway in relation to discharge from hospitals in Gloucestershire. The report was published in July 2010. The recommendations were mainly in relation to the improvements needed in communication with patients and carers, more information about treatment and possible complications on discharge and better liaison with the primary care team and social care.

Outcomes:

  • NHS Gloucestershire as Commissioners stated that the Clinical Quality Team will work closely with GHNHSFT to improve all aspects of the discharge process. Medicine management now forms part of the contract and requires GHNHSFT to establish communication with all other providers regarding patients’ medicines
  • A number of other changes have been made to the hospital discharge policy as a result of the LINk task group report (better communications with patients, relatives and their carers, more information to patients regarding their condition and any possible complications and improvements in communication between the Primary Care Teams and the hospital)
  • Improved referral process to Age UK’s Hospital Aftercare service (particularly in community hospitals)

Access to Podiatry Services

A task group on Access to Podiatry services (covering the whole pathway of foot care) was set up during 2009/10. A report was sent to the Commissioners and Providers and the Care Quality Commission in August 2010 with recommendations including the expansion of the foot care service ‘Best Foot Forward’ to all areas of the county, improvements to podiatry publicity and leaflets, an improved appointments service and better foot care for inpatients.

Outcomes:

  • Reintroduction of the training of nurses in routine foot care by the podiatry service
  • Review of the appointments system
  • Review of publicity materials

Access to NHS dentistry and podiatry in care homes

As an additional piece of work, in partnership with the Gloucestershire Care Providers Association (GCPA), a questionnaire was designed to be circulated to Care Homes in Gloucestershire to gather information about residents’ access to NHS dental and podiatry services. The report was published in September 2010. 

Outcomes:

  • The Care Quality Commission have highlighted this piece of work as an example of best practice nationally
  • The GCPA has shown great interest in the findings of this report and are keen to work with LINk on a number of other issues identified between us
  • Gloucestershire LINk has been invited to work with Gloucestershire County Council’s Quality Improvement Team to look into the issues identified in this report
  • The podiatry service has reiterated the availability of foot care training for all home care staff
  • The recent expansion of the salaried dental service should improve access for residents in wheelchairs