Agenda and minutes

Mentoring

The Chair announced that it had been suggested that elected members mentor the co-optees on the structure of the Council.  She asked for any members who were interested in becoming a mentor to contact Delia Watts.

Annual Health Check

Delia Watts reported the results for the Annual Health Check for 2007/08 which were as follows:

She confirmed that these results were for a period of more than six months previous and that measures had already been put in place for improving the performance of the Yorkshire Ambulance Service.

It was noted that a major contributory factor for the poor performance was due to the Patient Transport Service.  It was agreed that this would be scrutinised more rigorously when the next annual health check was undertaken.

Modernisation Strategy – Update on New Build Residential Homes

The Chair announced that item 7 “Modernisation Strategy – Update on New Build Residential Homes” would be taken in the exempt part of the agenda under Paragraph 3.

There were no declarations of interest.

There were no members of the public and press present.

- presentation by Kay Vickerage

Kay Vickerage gave a powerpoint presentation in relation to the Breathing Space development at Badsley Moor Lane.

The presentation drew specific attention to:

• The background
• History
• What breathing Space is
• Aims of the Programme
• What we are doing
• Services
• Principal Research Question
• Success Criteria
• Future Vision

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

• What other reasons there were for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) apart from the effects of mining.  It was confirmed that the biggest increase was that in women smokers.
• Whether there was a waiting list for the rehabilitation programme.  Confirmation was given that there was a small wait for assessment for rehab but that it was no more than 2 weeks.
• Whether referrals for rehabilitation had to be by a medical professional.  It was confirmed that only clients known to Breathing Space could request a bed.  However anyone could self refer for assessment.
• Were schools being approached about COPD as pupils were possibly the smokers of tomorrow?  A small amount of involvement had taken place with schools but it was hoped that there would be an increase in this in the future.
• Whether it was expected that COPD would continue to increase in the future.  Even though there were no longer problems being experienced as a result of mining, it was still anticipated that the numbers would increase.  This was mainly due to the large number of smokers in the Borough.
• How close to full capacity was Breathing Space currently working at? There was 47% bed days currently being used against a target which had been set at 85%.
• Whether COPD sufferers from outside Rotherham could access the facilities.  At the present time this was not happening but it was anticipated that GP’s on the periphery would be approached.
• Whether people with a worsening existing respiratory condition would stay on a permanent basis.  It was agreed that this establishment had not been designed for a long stay, and that the most anyone would be expected to stay for would be no longer than 7 days.
• How value for money was evaluated.  It was confirmed that a value for money assessment had been undertaken and the weblink would be passed on for Members’ information via Delia Watts.

A request was made that arrangements be made to visit the premises, and it was suggested that this take place on World COPD Day on 19 November 2008.  Delia Watts agreed to make the necessary arrangements.

Members thanked Kay for her presentation.

Doug Parkes, Business, Finance and Commissioning Manager presented the submitted report which gave an explanation as to why Direct Payments were leading to extra costs for the Council.

An analysis of expenditure, service delivery and demand patterns had been completed for the years 2006/07 to 2008/09.  Over this period an additional £1.2m was invested into discrete Direct Payments budgets.  At the same time an additional £7.8m was invested into residential care, home care and supported living including extra care housing.  These investments funded service commitments, service developments and increases in the demand for services.

A further key finding from this analysis was that the Directorate’s continued commitment to in-house, block contracted residential, home care and day care services had restricted the ability to use these budgets flexibly.  For example if a service user changed to a Direct Payment, the funding from their previous care packages could not be transferred to the Direct Payments budget because the funding was tied up in the block contract.  This was being addressed by a more flexible approach to contracting arrangements.

Direct Payments were being used as a top up to traditional services due to the lack of ‘alternative options’ the met the changing needs and aspirations of customers.  Currently there were no non-traditional services provided in-house and commissioning of such services was at an early stage.  Consequently Direct Payments were being used to fund the transitional phase of service delivery in all sectors that we were currently in whilst we commissioned and reconfigured different types of services. 

Delivering services through Direct Payments was a more cost effective way to support individuals than traditionally contracted services and was keeping the overall budget pressure down.  For example the average cost of a Direct Payment care package was £106 per week compared to a home care package of £140 per week.  However, when delivered in conjunction with traditional services, these could not be realised.

The delivery of the Commissioning Strategy Action Plan over the next three years, transformation of services through the Social Care Reform agenda and shifting the balance of care to the independent sector would enable the Directorate to remove the ‘double funding’ effect.  Funding available from these initiatives would be allocated across care budgets to support plans to improve quality and shift resources from current service provision towards personalisation and services that promoted independence.

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

• Whether there was an age restriction for people receiving direct payments.  Confirmation was given that there was no upper age limit, but that people under the age of 18 years were not entitled.  However, their parents could receive direct payments on their behalf.
• Reference was made to the whether people with £21k in their bank would be entitled to receive direct payments.  It was confirmed that it was still possible to be entitled to some form of payment but the £21k would be taken into consideration when calculating the entitlement.
• Whether as a result of Shifting the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 197.

Resolved:- That the minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 2 October 2008 be approved as a correct record for signature by the Chair.

Resolved:- That the minutes of the meetings of the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health held on 22 September 2008 and 6 October 2008 be received and 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.

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 residential care 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).

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

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

(3) That the existing residential care homes be declared surplus to requirement.

(4)  That arrangements be made for Members to visit the two new homes as part of the monthly Visits of Inspection.