(KEY DECISION)

Report No. 97/2018

KEY DECISION

Report No. 97/2018 was received from the Deputy Director for People.

Mr A Walters, Portfolio Holder for Health and Adult Social Care introduced the report which set out the outcome of the work to review existing provision and informed the recommissioning of homecare services. The report sought approval from Cabinet to commence procurement of homecare contracts, and to continue the trial of the Complex Care Support Service.

During discussion the following points were raised:

i.      Mr Brown noted paragraph 12.3.3 which confirmed that financial viability testing would continue as the complex care trial expanded and asked for confirmation that funding would not exceed the budget set out in the MTFP and that savings may be achieved;

ii.     There had been a 7% increase in demand for the service, but only a 2% increase in funding, reductions seen in the cost of complex care had arisen as a result of reduction in commissioned hours, there were also savings in relation to enabling service users to remain in their own homes rather than in residential care.  As the trial was expanded to more rural areas, financial viability would continue to be monitored.

iii.    Impacts on the external homecare provider market would continue to be monitored to ensure that it remained sustainable.

DECISION:

1.    Cabinet NOTED the update on work undertaken for the recommissioning of homecare services in Rutland.

2.    Cabinet APPROVED the procurement model for homecare services as set out in Section 6 of Report No. 97/2018.

3.    Cabinet AUTHORISED the Director for People, in consultation with the Cabinet Member with Portfolio for Health and Adult Social Care to award the contract(s) for homecare resulting from this procurement in line with the Award Criteria as set out in Appendix B of Report No. 97/2018.

4.    Cabinet SUPPORTED the continuation of the in-house complex care support service trial as set out in Sections 8 -10 of Report No. 97/2018.

Reason for the decision

1.    Both elements of provision had been developed to take into account the feedback from service users, providers and commissioners of the current services, and meet the future needs of Rutland service users in line with strategies and priorities.

2.    In order for the procurement process to commence the award criteria needed to be approved by Cabinet. The criteria had been carefully considered to ensure that providers successful in the process were capable of meeting the requirements and could deliver appropriate quality services in Rutland.

3.    It was recommended that once the award criteria were approved, approval of the award of contracts was delegated to the Director for People in consultation with the Portfolio Holder. Decisions would only be taken in line with Cabinet approved criteria.

4.    Cabinet approval was required to continue and gradually extend the Complex Care Support Service.  The model had been developed to meet complex needs with quality care and support, an extension would enable it to be further developed and the longer-term viability of the model evaluated.