Issue - meetings

This report asks the Executive Member to note a summary of the new national framework for Continuing Health Care and Funding Nursing Care, the potential impact of the changes on Adult Social Services and action being taken to address these issues.

Note: Agendas 1-4 to the above item have been made available on-line only, as they are too large to print with the agenda.  Hard copies can be obtained from Democratic Services, if required.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for Adult Social Services be advised to:

i)                   Note action being taken to meet the new mandatory requirements for Continuing Health Care and the funding arrangements for Funded Nursing Care;

ii)                 In June 2008, following 6 months of implementation of the new policy to receive a further report back to the Executive Member.

Decision of the Executive Member for Adult Social Services

RESOLVED:             That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:                  To update members on changes to the national framework for continuing care and funded nursing care.

Consideration was given to a report, which requested Members to note a summary of the new national framework for Continuing Health Care and parallel changes to the funding arrangements for Funded Nursing Care. Details of the potential impact of the changes on workload, performance and budgetary issues for Adult Social Services together with action being taken to address issues was also reported.

The major changes that the new framework would bring were:

·          One national policy which was person centred

·          A common process for assessment and national tools to support decision making/eligibility

·          One single band for Funded Nursing Care.

Officers reported that these changes should enable more people to be supported safely in their homes and community. Officers stated that there would be additional costs to the PCT but that investment in additional council staff would be recouped through this. It was confirmed that there had been 17 requests since October and that as people became more aware of the changes that more requests will be made.

Members expressed their support for the changes and Officers confirmed that there could be challenges in developing capacity within local care services to meet increased and varied demands for fully funded health care.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for Adult Social Services be advised to:

i)                   Note action being taken to meet the new mandatory requirements for Continuing Health Care and the funding arrangements for Funded Nursing Care;

ii)         In June 2008, following 6 months of implementation of the new policy to receive a further report back to the Executive Member. ¹⁾

Decision of the Executive Member for Adult Social Services

RESOLVED:             That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:                  To update members on changes to the national framework for continuing care and funded nursing care.