Information sharing to improve

Rochdale Borough Council is to take part in a pilot scheme aimed at creating a more efficient and transparent system of information sharing across health, social care and community support services.

Nine councils, including Rochdale, have been chosen to take part in the Common Assessment Framework for Adults (CAF) Demonstrator Site Programme, aimed at avoiding duplication in assessments and ensuring people receive the best quality care and support.

The focus of the three year project is on developing the cultural, organisational and workforce developments necessary to improve the experience of residents. It will also be used to develop new information sharing technologies.

Councillor Dale Mulgrew, Portfolio Holder for Health and Social Care said that with people increasingly being given the power to choose and commission their own care and support services he welcomes the announcement: “Each person’s individual circumstances and the way in which they want to live their life are fundamental to helping to choose services and support better suited to meet their needs. If a person has complex or long-term care and support needs there has been a frustration in patients repeating their story to different parts of the system, so by Rochdale being involved in this pilot we’ll be able to learn how best to collect information just once and then share between our partners.”

Jim Wilson, Interim Director of Adult Care said improved information sharing will support residents to make the choices about their care and support needs that best deliver their desired outcomes: “Professionals will have the right information to get an accurate picture of someone’s care needs and aspirations. We need to make sure this information can be shared among the right agencies at the right time and importantly, in a secure and confidential way.”

Care Services Minister, Phil Hope said: “The emerging evidence on efficiency, costs and cost-effectiveness across the system and good practice will both inform local developments and further national guidance.”

Rochdale Council will lead the pilot, but in partnership with Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust (Mental Health Service), NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale, Supporting People Housing Support Services and Liquidlogic IT suppliers. Also involved are partners in the voluntary sector, Age Concern Metro Rochdale, Making Space and Rochdale and District MIND. There will be input and support from patients and service users through the Patient’s Council, Pennine Care and the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS.)

A public consultation on the CAF proposals covers:

• How assessment and care planning should be undertaken (the principles) .
• What information should be commonly shared .
• Who that information might be shared with.
• Proposals on the IT approach and solutions that would enable this to happen nationally.
• The issues around confidentiality and security arrangements that this entails.

For more information on the consultation and how to contribute to the online consultation, or attend a consultation event, visit:

• www.dh.gov.uk/caf