Children’s, Young People and Maternity Services System Delivery Board - Key messages 19 May 2022

Meeting Date 19 May 2022

Key Decisions and Actions

Neurodevelopmental Pathway

The Board were presented with a comprehensive update for the Neurodevelopmental Pathway workstream noting the Central Lancashire Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) referrals were increasing at an average rate; indicating an upward trend throughout the calendar year, with a decrease in assessment slots due to capacity demands and urgent cases needing to take priority.

S Flynn provided an overview of the ASD Recovery Plans developed to reduce the waiting list backlog utilising non-recurrent funding secured by the Central Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Groups; with discussions underway between the two lead providers to develop interim plans to reduce the backlog as part of a waiting list initiative, noting confirmation was required in relation to whether this was to be a collaborative approach or led by individual partners.

The Board acknowledged the importance for the development of a longer-term plan to address the wider system developments, management of the waiting list to ensure this did not continue to increase, and assessments were conducted in a timely manner. The presentation closed with an update of plans by the Lancashire and South Cumbria Health and Care Partnership to develop a dedicated Neurodevelopmental Service, the project outcomes and the impact and benefits of this service.

Performance Update

The latest system data was presented which showed monthly attendances at an Urgent Care setting had increased with no clear indications as to the reasons for the increase; a notable decrease in Zero Length of Stays and Did not Attend rates was reported. Outpatient attendances during March 2022 noted a 0.6% increase in comparison to February.

Members were presented with the Paediatric Assessment Unit Activity Analysis for April 2021 – March 2022 noting there had been a growth in admissions via the Emergency Department and Urgent Care, and a significant reduction in the admissions via GP Practices reported year-on-year; further discussions were planned to try and understand the reasons for the increased admissions.

The Board noted Vicky Webster, Clinical Lead for the system delivery board and Clinical Nursing Lead Children and Young People’s Transformation Programme for Lancashire and South Cumbria Health and Care Partnership had joined the membership of the Determinants of Health System Delivery Board. Members welcomed the important link this would provide for the system delivery board and from a system-wide perspective.

Matters for Escalation (and where to) N/A

Completed and signed off by Dr Gerry Skailes Senior Responsible Officer