Issue - meetings

            This report outlines detailed proposals for accommodation for older people with support.

 (i)        That the proposals contained within the report be noted and approval for a detailed feasibility study and consultation exercise to be undertaken be given;

(ii)        That the proposal for the use of the 11 beds at Grove House as a mixture of permanent and respite beds for people with high dependency be approved.

Members received a report which outlined detailed proposals for accommodation for older people with support.

The report advised that the overall strategic options were as follows:

Option 1:  To make no further changes to Elderly People’s Homes bar the changes already agreed at Morrell House and Windsor House.

Option 2:  To develop a coherent 5-10 year strategy with health and housing partners which can meet the known current and future needs of older people by providing a range of specialist services across the city.

In the light of the Primary Care Trust’s (PCT) decision to withdraw funding for staffing to support 11 intermediate care beds at Grove House, there were also specific options that needed to be considered in relation to these beds:

Ø      To leave the beds empty and redeploy staff elsewhere within Adult Services within the council redeployment policies.

Ø      Remove the beds and use the space as office accommodation for the specialist home care team, which was currently short of space at Marjorie Waite Court.

Ø      The retention of the 11 beds as High Dependency beds. (Either permanent or mixture of permanent and respite).

Ø      To use the beds as step up / step down (recuperation) with charges applied as against the current position of beds offered free as part of the intermediate care system.

The Executive Member for Adult Social Services expressed regret at losing the intermediate care beds at Grove House owing to the PCT’s financial problems.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for Adult Social Services be advised:

(i)         That the proposals contained within the report be noted and approval for a detailed feasibility study and consultation exercise to be undertaken be given;

(ii)        That the proposal for the use of the 11 beds at Grove House as a mixture of permanent and respite beds for people with high dependency be approved.

Decision of the Executive Member for Adult Social Services

RESOLVED:             That the advice of the Advisory Panel as set out above be accepted and endorsed.

REASONS:(i) To support the effective development of services to meet changing demographic requirements and customer needs;

(ii) To maximise the efficient use of resources.