Agenda item

To consider a report by the Project Manager, Extra Care Sheltered Housing (copy enclosed) which sets out the current position with regard to the consultation and review of North Denbighshire Day Services in the North of the County.

                                                                                                       11.30 a.m.

A copy of a report by the Project Manager, Extra Care Sheltered Housing, which set out the current position with regard to the consultation and review of North Denbighshire Day Services and the proposals for changes to the way that day services are provided in North Denbighshire, had been circulated with the papers for the meeting.  The Head of Adult and Business Services (HABS) introduced the report which provided feedback on the consultation and sought support for the implementation of the recommendations.  The need to review current day services provision had been identified in the Reablement Moving Forward document and the 2008 Review of Day Services reiterated that there was a need to offer a wider range of options to service users.

To ensure that social service provision for Older People was sustainable and  kept pace with demand, service provision for those most in need would have to be prioritised.  Support would need to be reablement focused in line with Welsh Government policy as set out in Sustainable Social Services, A Framework for Action.  When reviewing Day Care Services it would be important to distinguish between daytime activities and day care and the definition of the aspects of each of the service provisions had been outlined in the report

The HABS outlined the role of the staff team at Hafan Deg in undertaking in-depth assessments, and it was confirmed that wherever possible support would be provided for individuals to move into socially inclusive daytime activities in their local area.  Opportunities to create meaningful links with ordinary day time activities would be built into the care plan if assessed as being required.  Details of discussions undertaken with Housing Association Partners in Nant y Môr and Gorwel Newydd regarding the development of day activity groups at both Extra Care Schemes had been outlined in the report.  The HABS responded to questions from Councillor R.M. Murray and outlined the timescales for the consultation process in respect of Nant y Môr, and agreed to seek clarification for Members regarding the location utilised by the Stroke Club.

The Welsh Government’s Older People’s Strategy indicated that in future people would prefer to be supported by inclusive local community services rather than traditional day services.  To ensure provision of sustainable day services to meet the needs of increasing numbers of vulnerable people it would be vital to change the way services were provided.  It was explained that the review of day services would contribute to the corporate priority of: Vulnerable People are protected and are able to live as independently as possible.

It was confirmed that the requirement to save £30k this year through the review of Day Services had been achieved through the re-organisation of the management structure across the 2 services.  A summary of the consultation process undertaken with key stakeholders, and details of the feedback, had been included in Appendix 1.

The HABS outlined the recommendations contained in paragraph 3 of the report and responded to issues raised by Members from the Rhyl area which included concerns regarding the change of use of Hafan Deg from a Day Centre to a Rehabilitation Centre with a re-ablement focus, which they felt could result in service users having to pay for their own rehabilitation.  He:

-               confirmed that there was no charge for the provision of re-ablement services.

-               provided details of the range of community services delivered by private organisations to supplement those provided by Social Services.    

-               confirmed that Social Services only provided services to users with eligible social care needs.   

-               confirmed the intention to expand the availability of community facilities for local users, with the focus for the financial year being to commission services from the third and independent sectors.

-               provided an outline of the development of methods and means for self support.

Members highlighted difficulties which would confront service users who would be unable to access the services and facilities referred to under daytime activities.  Reference was made to associated travel difficulties which could be encountered and the provision of funding to address the transportation issues highlighted.  The HABS explained that the report did address the issues of the provision of daytime activities and day care separately and explained how these issues would be addressed by the implementation of the strategy.  Councillor R.L. Feeley confirmed that the provision of nursing backup for service users attending Day Centres was an ongoing issue which would require further examination.

Having considered the proposals in the report there was a general consensus of opinion that the Committee was unable to support the recommendations on the basis that:-

-                the full business case for the changes needed to be made available to Members.

-                an impact assessment detailing the financial and service implications of the proposed changes for service users needed to be made available.

-                details of third sector involvement in the new service models should be made available.

-                estimated transport costs associated with delivering the new services being proposed should be made available.

-                information should also be made available on the implications to Adult and Business Services and the risks to the Council's Medium Term Financial Plan if the proposals put forward were not approved.

During the ensuing discussion, the Committee agreed that in view of the concerns expressed by Members the recommendations contained in the report could not be supported until the supporting evidence outlined above was made available for councillors’ consideration.  The Committee:

RESOLVED – that the recommendations with respect to changing the way that day services are delivered in north Denbighshire be referred to County Council for a decision once the additional supporting information listed above is available.