Agenda item

For the Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee to pre-scrutinise the proposals and consider the recommendations proposed in the report.

The committee received a report from the Director of Adults’ Health and Care.  Mr Humphries and the Orchard Close group were thanked for their deputation.  

Members received a brief history of the proposals and overview of the report to the Executive Member of Adult Social Care and Health.  Secondary consultations for considering other options for the future of Orchard Close were undertaken as well as extensive engagement and coproduction with the two working groups (included Members and carers) and Healthwatch, Carers Together and Speakeasy advocacy involvement. 

Members heard that the two proposals outline a reduction of beds at Orchard Close and market capacity at 3 other respite services.  Savings of £140million are still required with a reduction of 19% across service and a £55.9million reduction in addition to previous rounds of transformation.  The findings of the 8-week public consultation and recommendations are before Members for scrutiny. 

The target occupancy is 85% with safe levels of staffing at all times and reductions worked out on that basis.  In addition to reducing beds, attracting more service during slower months is a priority.  Based on the underoccupancy at 3 other sites, 25% of capacity will be marketed with an estimated income of £126,000 per annum.  For equitable access at Orchard Close occupancy will be temporarily increased over 85% for summer months and booking groups together will be encouraged in quieter months.  

With regards to the future of Orchard Close beyond March 2020, services will need to be reassessed regularly and no assurances of any respite services can be given beyond that date, given the current Covid19 pandemic.  Changes to how respite is taken may be required as part of the process, matching requests against availability in an equitable manner while continuing to maintain a personalized and fair approach.  In relation to the loss of expertise in terms of losing staff, only two members of staff would be impacted – one with a reduction in hours, another redeployed to fill another internal vacancy.  There would be no staffing implications at any of the other locations and staffing impact would be mitigated because several posts are currently vacant.  

The same rules and practices would be in place by Hampshire County Council care services for any external service users.  The Council is being cautious and there will be minimal effect on Hampshire respite users.  If the change is agreed, it would commence on 1 October 2020.  Respite will be spread more proportionately but remain the same amount and there will be no difference felt for any service users.  Usage will be continually monitored with minimized impact for Hampshire residents.  Equality Impact Assessments were completed for each individual proposal. Some shortfall would remain.  

The Chairman thanked the officer-team for their ongoing efforts.  

Members appreciated all the work being done but noted the lack of funding from the central government.  Going forwards, including autistic service users in the proposals was requested by Members and noted by Officers.

In response to questions, Members heard:

For understanding the disruption of summer months, the 3-bed change has been modelled for minimal disruption and would not have a significant impact.  Fair, equitable access and incentives would encourage bookings for low-season accommodation.  For planned respite, bookings are made considerably in advance.  There may be occasions with having higher requests than availability, not unlike other organizations but the impact would be managed, and other alternatives considered. 

Hampshire County Council Care are Care Quality Commission regulated and managers are very familiar with looking at compatibility and person-centred care with similar needs and would only be commissioned from a different authority or provider.  This already happens and is business as usual.  There are no additional security concerns or escalation of risks by using market capacity.  

A huge amount of work, thought, and care has gone into these recommendations and the impact will continue to be monitored.

Safeguarding responsibilities would remain the same and retained by Hampshire.  

With regards to increasing bed occupancy sales, subject to getting there and establishing interest, this would continually be reviewed moving forwards.  The department is deliberately cautious to mitigate the impact.

Officers are continuing to work closely with carers and making positive developments with the Friends of Orchard Close group.  It has been a long process and engagement, and the recommendations do reflect it – the safety of loved ones have not been compromised and will not be.

Some facilities replaced older estates to reflect the needs of respite users who could not be accommodated elsewhere.  

Members noted that in cuts to budget and further savings the most vulnerable people who need looking after can be affected.  Members thanked the officers and wished to reiterate the lack of adequate funding to the central government, prioritizing fair, rather than equal funding reduction.

RESOLVED -

That the Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee: 

Supported the recommendations being proposed to the Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Health in section 2 of the report.