Elected members in Warwickshire are collaborating to address disparities in care provision for those with terminal conditions.
During this week’s Warwickshire County Council gathering, a query from Councillor Jerry Roodhouse (Lib Dem, Eastlands) highlighted that assistance available in Rugby was described as either scarce or unreliable.
He called for action to be taken against the NHS bodies responsible for commissioning these services, specifically concerning emotional and wellbeing help for individuals beginning palliative treatment.
He stated that the portfolio holder would acknowledge that psychological and emotional assistance for those undergoing palliative and terminal care, and for their loved ones, differs significantly throughout Warwickshire, and that in Rugby such help is either limited or irregular.
What steps would she implement to rectify this situation, and would she raise the matter with the Integrated Care Board tasked with the legal responsibility of commissioning palliative services?
Councillor Anne-Marie Sonko (Reform UK, Earl Craven), who holds the adult social care and health portfolio, acknowledged the problems, which included substantial worries about the difficulties confronting hospice facilities.
She expressed understanding of the concerns being raised.
Terminal care has attracted considerable discussion recently, at the Health and Wellbeing Board and also during scrutiny sessions, particularly regarding hospice availability.
Discussions are continuing. She would raise the matter directly with the ICB responsible for commissioning all these services to obtain firm confirmation that differences were being tackled throughout the county.
Inequalities currently existing could not continue, and efforts would be made to guarantee a uniform baseline standard was established across the entire county that all providers should achieve.
Progress would be monitored through shared oversight arrangements, including scrutiny procedures and the Health and Wellbeing Board. This would be kept under review and updates provided to reassure everyone.
Not everyone truly understands how minimal the funding directed towards terminal care is and how much dependence exists on charitable organisations. This was another aspect requiring improved awareness.
She remained dedicated to collaborating with partners to ensure all residents received quality support during their final stages of life.
Cllr Roodhouse further commented that the end-of-life period could extend not merely for a year or half-year but for several years.
Palliative services offer a means of maintaining quality of life for the person involved. One significant concern relates to psychological and mental health assistance. Could she provide confirmation that these crucial elements for individuals on palliative pathways would be maintained, particularly as they progress through years one, two and three of cancer treatment or other specific therapies or illnesses?
Significant differences clearly existed between Rugby and other areas of the county. Conversations with the Myton Day Hospice would confirm this.
Cllr Sonko declined to add anything further.