Health staff praised for pandemic effort

Health and social care staff have been praised for their willingness to embrace change as they continue to deliver vital services in North Lanarkshire.

Employees have had to alter the way they work due to the“enormous impact”of the Covid-19 pandemic – and embrace new technologies.

North Lanarkshire’s Integration Joint Board (IJB) has also been updated on the intention to renew focus on the ambitions set out in the area’s Strategic Commissioning Plan.

Health & Social Care North Lanarkshire (HSCNL), which is commissioned by IJB to deliver services, outlined how it is remobilising services.

The partnership is learning to deliver services in more dynamic and flexible ways than they were previously.

NHS Lanarkshire set up a Redesign and Recovery Oversight Group and North Lanarkshire Council created a Covid-19 Recovery Group.

Feeding in to these, an HSCPS Recovery Group was also formed to provide a joined up and consistent approach across the whole of Lanarkshire.

A total of 24 recovery plans covering 42 services hosted by HSCNL have been approved.

In addition, recovery plans for a further seven services delivered by both Lanarkshire HSCPS – services delivered in treatment rooms, district nursing and health visiting – have been approved.

By undertaking a co-ordinated recovery process HSCNL staff have been able to identify key emerging themes and share solutions across services areas.

Of the services going through the North Lanarkshire recovery plans, 88 per cent will be delivered remotely to some extent.

Phones and“near Me” video consultations have been used extensively to minimise hospital and GP visits, while still allowing face-to-face consultations.

Chair of IJB, Dr Avril Osborne, also praised the workforce for adapting so quickly and said:“staff really do deserve praise for their dedication and hard work.

“Health and social care is complex at the best of times, however to continue delivering services in the midst of a pandemic has been exceptional.

“How services are delivered has changed almost overnight.

“The recovery process won’t be seamless, but there is a real opportunity to redevelop services to be more flexible and responsive to our service users’needs.

“Our learning from this pandemic will also make our services more resilient.”

To continue delivering services in the midst of a pandemic has been exceptional Dr Avril Osborne