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Members noted apologies for the meeting. A full list can be found here
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved.
Graham Biggs, RSN, outlined the current situation with regard to long term funding of Adult Social Care. Members noted the response from RSN on the consultation and specifically on what it considers is currently wrong with the regime – especially from the rural perspective. Members comments on the proposed government green paper included:
Members were concerned about urbanisation of funding formulas but were assured that rural MPs were determined to keep these issues on the agenda to ensure a fair distribution of funding. They noted future meetings planned between RSN and the Rural Fair Share Group of MPs to further discuss these points.
The group compared how fair funding for rural communities is achieved in other countries. Members suggested creation of a care package model specific for Rural Services might be a way forward in the future, however agreed that this might be a way off. They agreed opportunities to come up with a radical idea for self-caring of relations and neighbours and to make it cost effective.
The group agreed that there is currently a lack of awareness among the rural community. Mr Biggs notified members that points raised in the response would be publicised via various channels in due course. The focus at the moment must be on the fair distribution of funding although members felt that planning and sustainability need to be included in any response at a later point.
The group agreed that the responses to the questions posed were in determining the issues to be prioritised in future RSN work
David Inman updated members on the outcome of the two Regional Meetings/Seminars held to date. On a practical level, members noted the need for evidence – one way of doing this is to provide evidence on the amount of miles carers and medical staff - as well as patients – need to travel.
Mr Biggs suggested that members put forward case studies of examples of these difficulties and include additional cost and incidents of trauma related to the difficulties.
There was no other business and the meeting was closed.
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