HEALTH bosses in Gloucestershire say they recognise that some NHS practices “are not working as well as they should” following a peer review.

But they say there are “some really good examples” of systems working well and have outlined their commitment to making the improvements necessary.

The Local Government Association (LGA) review involved speaking to more than 60 staff from across the health and care system.

The LGA found there is a lack of a “joint strategic vision” for the county’s health organisations, with staff saying they felt there needed to be more alignment in terms of individual strategies.

It also found a “disconnect” between leaders and staff about partnership working, with people in more junior roles saying communication is “a real barrier” to collaboration.

Those in the Independent sector said they are not treated as equal partners, and there is sometimes a lack of respect from health and social care staff.

Peers also said they heard of a culture of “finger-pointing” and “a lack of understanding and trust” between partners.

Concerns were also raised about the coordination of patients’ journeys through care, with an over reliance on hospital beds and significant “wasted capacity” being caused by risk aversion from staff and a lack of confidence in community services.

They also said they were “very concerned” about End of Life care in the county, with people dying in hospital due to “lengthy bureaucratic processes”, leading to anger and violence from families being directed at frontline staff.

But they did hear positive feedback that progress is being made, and praised the desire to improve from the county’s “very committed, determined and passionate” staff.

Chief Medical Officer for NHS Gloucestershire, Dr Andy Seymour said: “Partners recognise that not all of our current systems, leadership and practices are working as well as they should and that there is need for improvement.

“However, there are also some really good examples of things that are working well, and we will continue to build on the innovative practice that we see every day in our ambulance services, hospitals, in the community and in primary care.”

Executive Director of Adult Social Care, Wellbeing and Communities at Gloucestershire County Council, Professor Sarah Scott commented: “Together we will work to address the report’s findings and recognise that the solutions lie in both leadership and in our collective efforts on the ground.

“We understand the challenges facing our frontline colleagues.

“We know that they are committed to doing the very best they can for every service user and recognise that it can sometimes be the systems and processes that are hindering them from being able to achieve this as well as we would all want.

“They have a lot of insight and ideas to contribute and we will ensure that colleagues are involved and continue to influence our approach going forward.”

A full summery of the review can be found at www.nhsglos.nhs.uk/news/improving-the-urgent-and-emergency-care-system-in-gloucestershire-lga-peer-review-feedback.