The two South Wales Essential Updates went very well with a packed programme that included David Francis, Karen Wakelin (Care Council), Annie O’Reilly and Debbie Powell from the local Social Care in Partnerships, Anthony Arcari (our Health and Safety adviser) and Public Health Wales on employee health, writes CFW policy adviser, Melanie Minty (pictured below). 

If you missed the Updates, Melanie has provided a briefing explaining what was discussed at the meetings (below).

Melanie said: “There was a discussion around the new National Living Wage and we asked delegates to feedback their calculations of additional costs to compare with our assessment. 

Daisy Cole from Older People’s Commissioner Wales also came along to the Friday event and apologised to members for the tone of the letters that had been sent out in response to their action plans.  Daisy explained that the OPC’s office had delegated analysis of the responses to an external party because of the volume and had only been able to QA and amend a proportion.”

Delegates were also asked to get involved with some discussion work around the vision for future care and what good quality looks like. 

Melanie added: “CFW is working closely with Welsh Government and other partners under the Care Homes Steering Group work streams and it is important that providers are proactive in setting the bar and flexible in responding to new models of care. 

“The ethos of Social Services and Wellbeing Act requires providers to facilitate and empower people in their care to meet their wellbeing outcomes. We want to encourage members to think about how this will affect the way they provide care and how they interact with the local community.  Examples of good practice would be welcome!”