Issue - meetings

Members considered a report which suggested options for the future provision of care for older people in the City, following a review of the Council’s residential care homes.

The review sought to progress the Joint Vision for the Health and Well Being of Older People in York approved in July 2010 (attached as Annex A), with more older people remaining in the community and having more independence, a greater choice of accommodation options and greater social engagement.  The City’s care homes would also need to cater for future needs, with larger rooms, greater flexibility and better facilities.

The following options had been considered:

• A – take no action and retain current operating model and provision
• B – extend and refurbish existing homes
• C – purchase all or an increased proportion of beds from the private sector
• D – fund the design and build of new care homes and continue to operate them with Council staff
• E – enter a partnership with a commercial developer to fund and build a new home.

Analysis indicated that, of these options, D and E would present the best opportunity to re-provide the City with fit for purpose, ‘state of the art’ residential care homes with a range of care solutions.  In view of the potential effect of all the options (except A) on residents and staff, it was recommended that a full consultation now be carried out over a period of three months with all interested parties.

In response to matters raised by Members at the meeting, it was confirmed that a ‘user friendly’ consultation document was being prepared and that the issue of social isolation for those remaining in their own homes was being addressed in the work of the department.

Members noted the comments made by the Unison representative on this item and

RESOLVED: (i)         That a full and meaningful consultation be carried out on the review and its options for the future re-provision of the Council’s nine elderly persons’ residential care homes. ¹

                        (ii)        That the consultation should last for a period of three months and involve residents, day care and respite care service users, as well as relatives, staff, trade unions, elected Members, health colleagues, older people’s groups and any other interested parties (as set out in the consultation plan at Annex E).

                        (iii)       That a further report to Members, outlining the result of the consultation and recommendations for action, be received in November 2011. ²

REASON:      To ensure that all interested parties are fully involved in the changes necessary to cater for the growing population of older people in the City for the foreseeable future.