Agenda and minutes

Resolved:- That the minutes of the meeting held on 21 July 2008 were approved as a correct record.

- report by Mel Turton, Mental Health Commissioning Manager, NHS Rotherham

Kath Atkinson presented the submitted report in relation to the modernisation of Mental Health Services.

She reported that a public consultation was to commence in relation to the modernisation of mental health services in Rotherham.  This would be lead by NHS Rotherham and would involve the redesign of adult and older people’s inpatient (hospital) mental health services and associated estates.  It was proposed that the PCT would commission new mental health service models for both adults of a working age and older adults that would focus up bringing more services into the community.  This would incorporate a new build project which would consolidate specialist inpatient services for older people on the Rotherham Foundation Trust site.  The needs of the adult inpatient service would be met by a refurbishment and a partial new build on the Swallownest Count.

A suggestion was made to refer the report to the next Adult Services Scrutiny Panel and also to hold an all member seminar.  It was also suggested that the consultation be taken to the Area Assemblies.

Resolved:- (1) That the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health endorse the commencement of a full consultation in conjunction with NHS Rotherham and Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust.

(2) That the report be submitted to the next Adult Services and Health Scrutiny Panel.

(3) That an all Member Seminar be arranged to discuss this further

(4) That consultation be undertaken via the Area Assemblies.

- report by John Mansergh, Service Performance Manager

John Mansergh, Service Performance Manager gave a presentation in relation to the Self Assessment Survey (SAS) 2008.

The Self Assessment Survey (SAS) is a key source of evidence for the annual assessment of Adult Social Care.  It is a mix of both data items, evidence that activity and resources translates into better outcomes for service users and a number of items that monitor the implementation of Department of Health policy.

SAS was completed in April and May of this year and was divided into sections which contained evidence against the Social Care Outcome Framework.  The achievements and areas for development across the 9 outcomes are detailed below:

• Improved health and emotional well being
• Improved quality of life
• Making a positive contribution
• Exercise choice and control
• Freedom from discrimination and harassment
• Economic well being
• Maintaining dignity and respect
• Leadership
• Commissioning and Use of Resources

A question and answer session ensued and the following issues were raised:-

• Praise had been given to the quality of care in the residential nursing care homes.  Members were confused by this as it had this had previously been criticised. It was confirmed that the criticism had been of the number of people going into residential care, whereas the praise was for the quality of care
• Reference was made to the direct payments system which had been introduced and a query was raised as to whether other Authorities had been smarter in their approach to this

Resolved:- (1) That the Cabinet Member note the Self Assessment Survey (SAS) submitted to the Commission for Social Care Inspectorate on 30 May 2008.

(2) That the Cabinet Member note the user friendly version of the SAS.

- report of Mark Scarrott, Service Accountant (Adults)

Mark Scarrott, Service Accountant (Adult Services) presented the submitted report which provided a financial forecast for the Adult Services Department within the Neighbourhoods and Adult Services Directorate to the end of March 2009 based on actual income and expenditure to the end of July 2008.

The approved net revenue budget for Adult Services for 2008/09 was £68.5, which included funding for demographic and existing budget pressures together with a number of efficiency savings identified through the 2008/09 budget setting process.  There were however, a number of underlying pressures based on current forecasts.

The report showed some emerging pressures with a projected net overspend of £148,000 to the year end.  This was excluding any potential management actions still to be identified to mitigate this forecast overspend.

The latest year end projections showed there were underlying budget pressures on Direct Payments, within Physical and Sensory Disabilities and Mental Health services.  Other projected overspends included additional unforeseen placements into residential care for clients with Physical and Sensory Disabilities and within Domiciliary Care management and administration teams over and above budget which were due to forecast non achievement of vacancy factor.  Budget pressures had also been identified in respect of increased energy costs within residential and day centres, included in the forecast outturn.  This was being monitored across all directorates within the Council.

These pressures were being partially offset by additional PCT income from continuing health care for placements and delays in the start up of supported living schemes within Learning Disability services.

In order to mitigate the financial pressures within the service all vacancies continued to require the approval of the Service Directors.  Budget meetings with Service Directors and managers had been arranged on a monthly basis to monitor financial performance against approved budget and to consider potential options for managing expenditure within budget.

Resolved:- That the latest financial projection against budget for the year based on actual income and expenditure to the end of July 2008 for Adult Services be noted.

Resolved:-  That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 2 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, as amended.

Shona McFarlane, Director of Health and Wellbeing presented the submitted report which outlined the progress to date in building the new homes and the plans to decommission the existing homes and ensure a smooth transition to the new homes for our residents.  It was anticipated that the new homes would open to residents in December 2008, and would provide 60 residential care beds and 60 beds for people who were elderly and mentally ill (EMI).

A commitment had been given that every resident would be given a place in one of the new homes, unless on reassessment it was established that they had nursing needs and their needs could therefore not be met in the new homes.

The new homes were in the process of construction, subject to some significant delay, with the final date for completion being anticipated at 13 October 2008.

In preparation for the opening of the new homes, vacancies had been held and staff were in the process of being redeployed.  Staff members had received a 1:1 meeting with HR and Trades Union involvement, and to date many staff had made successful and smooth transitions into new posts.  The recruitment process for posts in the new homes was due to start soon and it was anticipated that all staff would have a post through redeployment or recruitment into the new homes by August 2008.  It was not expected that there would be any redundancies.

The existing homes would need to be decommissioned and managers were currently in discussion with CSCI and EDS about this process.

Resolved:- (1) That the content of the report be noted

(2) That it be noted that every resident had been able to gain a place in the home of their choice

(3) That the residential care homes be declared as surplus to requirement,

Resolved:- That the next meeting be held on Monday 22 September 2008 commencing at 10.00 am.