Agenda item

To pre-scrutinise findings of the Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee Working Group in their work looking at the HCC Care Service proposals formal public consultation, which will be considered by the Executive Lead Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health at her Decision Day on the 8 February 2024.

The Committee received an overarching report (item 6 in the minute book) from the Director of Adults’ Health and Care setting out (i) the draft report of the Care Homes Working Group and (ii)  the draft report of the Director of Adults’ Health and Care for the Executive Lead Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health’s Decision Day on 8 February.  The Insight and Engagement report initially received and reviewed by the Care Homes Working Group was set out in full.

Having previously summarised the context for this item in minute 162 above, the Chairman invited Cllr A Briggs as Chairman of the cross-party Care Homes Working Group to present its findings.

Cllr Briggs outlined the composition and purpose of the working group which was to oversee the public consultation, analyse its results and make recommendations to the Committee.

She emphasised:

(i)            the Working Group’s recognition of the needs and concerns of the 77 residents directly affected by the proposals who lived at the homes proposed for closure;

(ii)          The visits to care homes undertaken by Working Group and several Committee members

On the visits, members had witnessed significant constraints in the delivery of care at Bishops Waltham House and at Emsworth House. These included cramped conditions, personal space that is inadequate, doesn’t meet Care Quality Commission floorspace standards and narrow/tight corridors.

Members had witnessed challenging conditions that staff are asked to operate in and we also noticed other limitations such as inadequate storage space and equipment space challenges.

The lack of personal dignity was of real concern to all members of the Working Group, with the lack of toilets in residents’ rooms, and the need for commodes.

It was noted that Copper Beeches and Cranleigh Paddock had previously been temporarily closed for operational reasons and that permanent closure was part of the proposals.

The Chairman introduced a “virtual visit” video that portrayed the above factors in two of the homes.  It also showed a more modern care environment where more space was available.

Cllr Briggs summarised the findings of the consultation in relation to the care homes under consideration, a full report on which was included in the agenda papers. The Working Group noted that the greatest opposition expressed was to the three proposed full closures.

Members of the Committee raised points as follows:

·         Officers would work with other professionals to mitigate visitor travel impacts

·         There were eight double rooms at Bishops Waltham converted from single rooms

·         There was concern about residents’ dignity in some of the existing settings

·         Resident moves were always handled compassionately

·         Larger homes of 80 beds were sub-divided into units of 20 bedrooms

The recommendations to the Committee from the Working Group, passed unanimously, were set out in the report as follows:

That the Committee

a)         Acknowledge that a robust cross-party Working Group process, Chaired by Councillor Briggs, and consisting of 9 HASC Members, has been in operation since it was established at the end of July 2023. 

b)         Note that Member Working Group participation was strong, regular, and consistent throughout the 5-6 month period and that eight Working Group meetings took place in total, including four meetings from early December following receipt of the findings from the public consultation.

c)         Note that, in addition to the Working Group meetings, Members of the Working Group visited four HCC Care homes to better understand the operating conditions and variability of the current service offer, and to help ‘bring to life’ the drivers for the Cabinet approved investment plans and specifically the closure proposals that the public were being consulted on.

d)         Note that the Working Group witnessed the limitations of existing HCC Care settings and approved a Care Homes video to be produced and to be shared with the wider HASC and public at today’s meeting.

e)         Note that the Working Group, having carefully considered and debated a wealth of information including from the public consultation findings, support the proposals being taken forward to the Executive Lead Member’s February meeting, acknowledging that the final report will also include the main points that result from today’s HASC meeting. 

f)          Note, that in supporting the proposals on which the public consultation was based the Member Working Group back the HCC Care investment plans agreed to in principle by Cabinet, recognising that additional beds in more fit for the future homes will help the County Council to better meet the future requirements of Older Adults, especially those with complex needs.

g)         Note, that the nine strong Member Working Group individually support:

1.         the permanent closure of Copper Beeches and Cranleigh Paddock Residential Care Homes,

2.         the closure of Bishops Waltham House, Green Meadows, and Solent Mead (including the Day Service) Residential Care Homes,

3.         the cessation of residential care provision at Oakridge House, Ticehurst and Emsworth House as part of the plans to modernise and expand these Homes,

4.         the closure of Malmesbury Lawn and Westholme on the completion of the proposed new builds at Oak Park and Cornerways.

h)        Specifically recommend to the Executive Lead Member that if she does approve the HCC Care home closure proposals at her 8 February Decision Day, and to minimise future impact for the homes that will cease providing standard residential services, that the 6 homes in question (2 and 3) above, stop admitting new clients with immediate effect.  

RESOLVED that the recommendations of the Working Group be accepted in full.

The Committee reviewed the draft report for the Executive Lead Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health’s Decision Day on 8 February. It was noted that this was due to be published on 31 January. 

The Committee agreed that there were no comments on the draft report of the Officer that it wished to bring to the attention of the Executive Portfolio Holder.