Agenda item

This report informs Members of the development of a long term commissioning strategy for older people and seeks agreement to the framework for the development and delivery of this strategy. Members will receive a short presentation on the details contained in the Annexes to the report.

[Please note that the City of York Council Draft Long Term Commissioning Strategy for Older People - Annexes 1, 2 and 3 are available to view on the Council’s website http://democracy.york.gov.uk/uuCoverPage.asp?bcr=1

Copies are available, if required, from Democratic Services – contact details at the foot of the agenda)]

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for Adult Social Services be advised to agree Option 2 which recommends embarking on a longer-term programme to reshape services for older people in York and to target interventions where they are most needed and most effective. 

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)  Government messages are clear that strategic commissioning should become a core activity for both local authorities and health.

ii) There will be major challenges in the next 15 years to meet the needs and aspirations of the growing older population in York.

iii) Government policy and local strategy has identified that the current service models need to change to meet these major challenges.

iv) It is essential that we engage user and carers, providers and other stakeholders in identifying the way forward and the long term commissioning strategy will help that dialogue develop.

Members considered a report which informed Members of the development of a long term commissioning strategy for older people and sought agreement to the framework for the development and delivery of this strategy. Members received a short presentation on the details contained in the Annexes to the report.

Members were presented with two options:-

Option 1 - Continue providing services in the same way, but increase capacity and funding to meet growing demand.  This option was unlikely to meet the challenges of the Government’s White Paper, and was unlikely to meet the vision contained within the joint strategy for York Never Too Old.  It was unlikely that funding would increase in line with demographic growth to make this option affordable.

Option 2 - Embark on a longer-term programme to reshape services and to target interventions where they were most needed and most effective. This would include a new emphasis on prevention and inclusive services, which offer control and choice and which allow statutory services to focus on those with the most complex needs.

The presentation covered a range of key issues including why have a Long Term Commissioning strategy, our approach, key messages, population change, need for services, cost, capacity, alternatives, dementia and carers. It was reported that current services would not be able to meet the projected demand and cross cutting action involving a wide range of stakeholders, including providers, the Primary Care Trust (PCT) and Older Peoples Assembly would be required. Members were informed that the extra cost of meeting the projected future needs in 2020 is estimated to be £7million if services did not change. Officers highlighted that there was a need to provide earlier, more effective intervention and support.

Members commented that earlier intervention could be difficult to achieve as a lot of carers struggled on their own for a while before seeking help. Officers reported that they were exploring ways of how to work with the PCT and primary care to identify earlier any support required. The Executive Member for Adult Social Services informed members that the PCT had given categorical assurance that they would work with the council to develop the strategy. Furthermore the voluntary sector and independent sector would be invited to work with the council on the strategy as well.

Members queried about how robust the projections were and commented that some projections were based on pro rata’s of existing take up which might shift over time as carers get older and were less able to do the caring. Officers reported that there were a lot of variables which could alter the projections, but these predictions were a starting point for developing the strategy.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for Adult Social Services be advised to agree Option 2 which recommends embarking on a longer-term programme to reshape services for older people in York and to target interventions where they are most needed and most effective. 

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)  Government messages are clear that strategic commissioning should become a core activity for both local authorities and health.

ii) There will be major challenges in the next 15 years to meet the needs and aspirations of the growing older population in York.

iii) Government policy and local strategy has identified that the current service models need to change to meet these major challenges.

iv) It is essential that we engage user and carers, providers and other stakeholders in identifying the way forward and the long term commissioning strategy will help that dialogue develop.