National Advisory Board for Rehabilitation: FOI release

Information requested

“1. Can you confirm the timeline for set up of a National Advisory Board for Rehabilitation, referred to under Section 10 ‘priorities to achieve objectives’ in the Framework for supporting people through Recovery and Rehabilitation during and after the Covid-19 pandemic, published by the Scottish Government on 13 August. Have advisors been appointed to the Board? If so can you confirm their names and professional credentials.

2. What are current processes for health boards to "ensure patients who have been admitted to Intensive Care and other secondary care areas have a multidisciplinary assessment of their rehabilitation needs, are offered person-centred care, and are followed up appropriately after discharge.” What new or additional processes or requirements will be introduced to ensure appropriate follow up of patients after hospital discharge? I have spoken to many patients discharged with complex and persistent rehab needs, yet with no care plans in place, given only copy of a leaflet about ‘pacing' and/or referred back to the general helpline number. Is this considered ‘appropriate’ person centred follow up?

3. Finally, can you provide copies of the Realistic Medicine Team’s "bespoke atlases of variation” referred to in section 10 of your framework, which is said will "describe the impact coronavirus (COVID-19) has had across the Scottish boards and partnerships, capturing prevalence, outcomes, inequalities and other epidemiological considerations that will inform how we should configure services going forward.” If these have not yet been produced can you please advise the timeline for their expected completion and confirm what stage in the process these are currently at, how many health boards have provided information on prevalence to date and how many have yet to do so.”

Response

1. The National Advisory Board for Rehabilitation is to be determined and will be chaired by the Chief Allied Health Professions Officer and supported by the new Allied Health Professions Adviser. The Advisory Board will be formed to provide expert advice to Scottish Government and support leadership in NHS Boards, Integration Authorities, Local Government, Independent and Third Sector.

2. The Scottish Government doesn’t hold this information, Section 17 Exemption.

3. This work is still ongoing and we will require further engagement with Public Health Scotland before we can provide an update.

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