Issue - meetings

- report of Shona McFarlane, Director of Health and Wellbeing

(report as submitted to the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care on 23^rd July, 2012)

Consideration was given to a report presented by Shona McFarlane, Director of Health and Wellbeing, Neighbourhood and Adult Services, concerning the In-house Transport Service provided by Neighbourhood and Adult Services. The Service primarily provided transport for customers to access Adult Social Care Services, such as In-house Day Services and Respite Units, but was also utilised by external organisations and other Council Directorates to transport their customers; thereby generating income.

The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care report ‘Day Services Review,’ dated 13th February, 2012, outlined savings targets for RMBC Day Care Services. The report identified options to achieve these savings specifically for Transport Services and requested approval to commence formal consultation with customers on the new revised transport eligibility criteria.   

Reference was also made to Minute No. 19 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Adult Social Care held on 23^rd July, 2012, concerning the review of Transport Services and the savings target.

The Director of Health and Wellbeing confirmed that risk assessments would continue to be used to determine a Service user’s travel requirements. 

Discussion ensued and the following responses were made: -

• Potential need for Service users to challenge decisions made, either through and appeal or complaints procedure;
• Importance of providing ‘bus buddies’ to those Service users who needed them;
• The outcome of the Equality Impact Assessment on the proposals;
• Potential to drain an individual’s mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance through attendance at a Day Centre, leaving less for other activities/outings;
• Would the impact of the proposals on those on the higher, middle or low level of Disability Living Allowance be different?;  
• The range of professional support that was provided to service users when completing the Service User Eligibility Criteria for Transport Services. 

Resolved:- (1) That the report be received and the background and history to this issue be noted.

(2) That the revised Transport Eligibility Criteria, as now submitted, be approved insofar as this Select Commission was concerned.

(3)  That the proposed report to Cabinet Member Adult Social Care be submitted the Health Select Commission following the closure of the consultation period outlining the responses received.