Issue - meetings

Shaw Healthcare Day Services Review

Meeting: 16/11/2021 - Cabinet (Item 27)

27 Shaw Healthcare Day Services Review (CAB08_21/22) pdf icon PDF 200 KB

Report by the Executive Director of Adults and Health.

 

The Chairman of the Health and Adults Social Care Scrutiny Committee will be invited to speak for up to three minutes to provide views on the Shaw Healthcare Day Services Review decision report.

 

Each of the main minority group leaders will be invited to speak for up to three minutes each on the Shaw Healthcare Day Services Review decision report.

 

The Cabinet will then discuss the report and any proposals prior to taking any decision.

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

Following consideration of the report, Cabinet resolved:

1.   The permanent closure of the Shaw Day Services and undertaking of a contract variation to remove the provision of day services from the Shaw Healthcare contract.

 

2.   The utilisation of existing provision as alternatives for current and future potential customers.

 

The call-in deadline is 25 November 2021.

 

Minutes:

27.1     Cabinet considered a report by the Director of Adults and Health. The report was introduced by Cllr Amanda Jupp, Cabinet Member for Adults Services who outlined the proposals which showed the day services as under-utilised with insufficient demand, and those small numbers using the services having been found alternative arrangements, including other day services, increased Direct Payments and increased care and support at home. Keith Hinkley, Director of Adults and Health advised that, like the MCH closure, this decision delivered savings without cuts to support, moved away from buildings-based care and delivered care which could better reflect individual need.

 

27.2     Cllr Garry Wall, Chairman of the Health and Social Care Scrutiny Committee (HASC) provided feedback from a TFG which convened on 5 November to discuss the proposals. Cllr Wall fed back that the TFG’s views were mixed, with concern about the continuing effects of the pandemic and therefore the timeliness of the closures, capacity in the voluntary sector, impact on carers, and how quickly other arrangements could be put in place, but the majority supported the proposals.

 

27.3     Cllr Kirsty Lord, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group expressed concern about the impact on clients and carers, particularly the respite available to carers and that the alternative provision did not appear to benefit them in the same way as Shaw Day services. She added community provision being available for milder illness could lead to patients needing residential care sooner and that one mitigation provided only 8 places over 5 days at Horsham and Burgess Hill.

 

27.4     Cllr Caroline Baxter, Leader of the Labour Group questioned the medium and long-term impact of the proposals, the loss of opportunities for patients to socialise and to give carers breaks, the risk to service users having declining health and pushing costs for healthcare further along.

 

27.5     The following points were made by Cabinet Members in discussion:

 

Ø  Cllr Jacquie Russell advised the council plan sought to develop new ways of working, and that people deliver services not buildings. The day services had been closed since the pandemic and alternative arrangements made for those people who were using them.

Ø  Cllr Jeremy Hunt highlighted the current block payment did not provide value for money and the proposal would save £0.75m, which would otherwise have to be found elsewhere. He added carers having respite was fully considered.

Ø  The Leader advised customer choice was showing that the services were under-utilised and to maintain them with significant under-use would prevent more targeted services and help.

 

27.6     Cllr Amanda Jupp summarised that this had been an important outcome from the pandemic, discovering what other community-based support is available and opportunities to assess individuals on their needs. Cllr Jupp highlighted the work of Carers Support West Sussex which provided a lot of support to carers and that the council works closely with them.

 

27.7     Resolved – that Cabinet agree to:

 

1.   Permanent closure of the Shaw Day Services and undertaking of a contract variation to remove the provision of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27