Agenda item

Update by Nathan Atkinson, RMBC

In accordance with Minute No. 50(3) of the meeting of this Board held on 11^th January, 2017, the current position with regard to commissioned Care homes in Rotherham was submitted. The scope of the update included Residential, Nursing, Residential with Dementia Care and Nursing with Dementia Care for Adults i.e. 18-64 and older people.

There was a total of thirty-five independent sector care homes (owned by twenty-threeorganisations) contracted to support older people in Rotherham.  They provided a range of care types categorised as Residential Care, Residential Care for people who were Elderly and Mentally Infirm, Nursing Care and Nursing Care for people who were Elderly and Mentally Infirm.

There was a total of thirty-six Independent sector homes (owned by twenty-four organisations) contracted to support Adults with specialist needs. They provided a range of care for Adults who lived with Learning Disabilities, Physical Disabilities, Mental Health and Sensory conditions (including Acquired Brain Injury).

The independent sector care home market in Rotherham supplied 1,779 beds and accommodated around 1,593 older people. The Council was the dominant purchaser with the majority of the population placed by the Council. There was currently a vacancy factor of 186 beds or 10.5% of the total capacity.  It also supplied 397 beds and accommodated around 386 adults with specialist needs.  The Council purchased 37% (145 beds) with the remaining 63% (252) beds occupied by residents who were fully funded by Continuing Health Care and Out of Authority places.  There was currently a vacancy factor of 31 beds (8%) of the total capacity.

As of February 2016, the total Older People’s care home population was made up of:-

-        26% (409 people) private paying clients including from out of Borough.

-        4.5% (72 people) placed and funded by other local authorities.

-        62% (987 people) placed and funded by the Council – this includes

-        people who receive Funded Nursing Care.

-        7.5% (125 people) placed and funded by our health partners under

-        Continuing Health Care arrangements (fully funded by Rotherham CCG). 

As of February 2016, the specialist care home population placed by the Council was made up of:

-        21% (31 people) funded fully by the Council (no client contribution) – this included people who received Funded Nursing Care.

-        7% (10 people) jointly funded by the Council and Continuing Health Care.

-        72% (104 people) funded by the Council and a financial contribution from the service user.

All Council commissioned providers were registered with, monitored and inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as well as monitored and inspected by a team of Contracting Compliance Officers.   Providers were monitored against standards set out in the Council’s service specification(s) and the associated contract(s) terms and conditions.  Deviation away from the standards resulted in intervention with providers which may include action plans, special measures improvement plans, contract default action and/or embargoes.  Action undertaken by the Strategic Commissioning Team may ultimately result in contract termination should providers continue fall below the required standard. 

All Older People’s care homes were fully aligned to GP practices to provide medical cover for residents in older people’s care homes.

A question was asked about the number of out-of-authority residential placements and it was agreed that a response would be provided.

Resolved:- That the report be received and its contents noted.