Agenda item

Purpose of report: Scrutiny of Services and Budgets; Policy Development and Review

Following a review and public consultation this report outlines for the Select Committee the Cabinet’s decision, 10 March 2015,  on the future of the ‘in-house’ six older people’s homes.

Declarations of interest:

None

Witnesses:

Dave Sargeant, Strategic Director, Adult Social Care

Chris Whitty, Programme Manager – Service Delivery, Adult Social Care

Mel Few, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care

Key points raised during the discussions:

·         The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care reiterated the need to close the six Surrey County Council owned care homes due to the fact that they are no longer fit for purpose. The Committee were informed that work has already started on closing Brockhurst and Longfield and that the process of shutting these two care homes will have been completed by the end of 2015.

·         The Programme Manager (PM) provided more information on the next steps in the closure of the care homes and the schedule for these closures stating that two homes would be shut each year for the next three years. The council is also talking to other local authorities about their experiences of closing care homes to ensure that all aspects of the closures have been fully considered. The PM provided detail on plans for the redeployment of staff advising that skill sets will be assessed to ensure that the needs of residents are met.

·         Further information was requested by the Committee on the process of closing the care homes and asked how this is progressing in relation to the Brockhurst and Longfield homes. ASC have looked at the care needs of residents currently in the homes and are considering these in relation to alternative care solutions within a five-mile radius. Discussions are currently taking place with care providers to get an understanding of what services they offer that meet individual residents’ needs. The PM also advised that conversations are ongoing with families, advocates and residents to ensure that they get an arrangement they are comfortable with. The hope is to transfer all residents in Brockhurst and Longfield to another care home in the summer in line with the council’s commitment not to move residents in the winter months.

·         The SD stressed the importance of retaining staff that work in these homes and gave assurances that efforts will be made to ensure that this is the case. Members were advised that ASC are currently considering options such as providing staff with training opportunities, re-deployment of some staff to re-ablement teams or moving staff to some of the other homes which are closing down to reduce the number of agency workers in these homes. The Committee were further informed that there is a shortage of staff in privately run care homes in Surrey but that efforts would be made to retain existing staff where possible.

·         Members asked what significance is being given to existing friendship groups in the closing care homes. The PM highlighted that this is paramount in ASC thinking and that efforts will be made to accommodate these friendship groups where possible.

·         The SD was asked whether ASC is working in conjunction with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to ensure that residents are re-located in homes where they will receive a high standard of care. The SD highlighted that he has established and oversees a Quality Assurance group including a representative from the CCG to provide external challenge. The purpose of the Quality Assurance group is to oversee the placement of every resident to ensure that they receive the same quality of care that which they presently receive.

Recommendations:

1.    The Committee recommends that consideration be given to all staff to ensure that they are given ample opportunities to continue working for ASC or within the council.

Actions/ further information to be provided:

None

Committee next steps:

None