Cabinet Member: Cllr. W. Gareth Roberts
To
consider a report by the Adults and Health Cabinet Member on the above.
10.00 a.m. – 10.45 a.m.
Minutes:
(a) A report was submitted by the Cabinet Member for Adults and Health together with a draft strategy
for the accommodation of older people and he drew attention
to the strategy's main priorities
namely:
·
Support individuals
to stay in their homes for
as long as possible
·
Find specific
geographical areas where it is likely
that the demand will be high
·
Ensure suitable
accommodation for older people
·
Ensure that
Gwynedd’s older people are aware
of the accommodation options
that exist within the County and that accessible information is available
(b) The Senior Housing Manager
referred to the strategy's aim that sets
a direction in terms of the population needs. Specific areas were looked at and the service that is currently available. The Committee was reminded of the challenges facing the Council as well as the growth in
population. There was a growth in the population of those aged 85+ with a high percentage
living alone and dependent on social
care. It appeared that
if the accommodation was suitable for the individuals then they could remain
in their own homes and the cost for the service was less.
The trends were considered and it was seen that there
was a lack of provision in some areas
particularly in the coastal communities. In addition, it was noted that there
was a significant growth in the number of patients with dementia and this caused concern
for the future and a balance would be sought between the current provision and future requirements.
Eight areas
had been identified regarding the pressure on the population and it was seen that
in some areas
the population was older, some young people
were moving out and the pattern of the influx of people was by now fairly
consistent.
In terms of the eight areas, the type of appropriate provision that would fully meet
with the need was considered. They would look
at the future role of the residential sector as there were more residential / nursing beds than sheltered housing provision.
(c) The Strategic Housing Manager noted that
the strategy had long-term and financial
implications and a partnership
with a housing association would have to be considered that would in
turn be dependent on grants, etc.
(ch) Members were given an
opportunity to scrutinise
the strategy and they highlighted the following points:
·
Why cannot the Council consider dual registration
especially as the Health Board / CSSIW support this?
·
Concern regarding
the reduction in the number of traditional residential beds with the beds now
transferred to the Health Board, and as a result there was no place for
local people specifically in Blaenau
Ffestiniog, with no land available to establish additional sheltered accommodation for the needs of local people.
·
Concern when
private residential care homes were
closing, that the responsibility fell on the Council to keep the home open until
the residents could be re-located.
·
That the areas
specified in the strategy were under
huge pressure with people moving
there to retire and should the strategy not refer to a financial recognition to be able to cope with the situation.
·
A request
had been made for further details
regarding the number of people over 65+
·
Disappointment that
the action plan had not noted the timetable
and who would be responsible for action.
·
That there
was a lack of direction within the strategy regarding the size of hospital beds and the need to take this
into consideration especially for patients who wish
to remain at home and lived in old
buildings in towns such as
Blaenau Ffestiniog, where it
was not possible to fit a special
hospital bed into the houses and consequently this forced the elderly to go into a home or hospital.
(d) In response
to the above observations,
the Head of the Adults, Health and Well-being Department explained that the market position in terms
of residential care homes was very vulnerable and this was not unique to Gwynedd. It was confirmed that a residential care home had recently
closed, however, they had managed to re-locate the residents in close cooperation
with the Health Board. He noted that the costs of wages had an impact on the viability
of some of the homes, however, the fundamental problem
was the recruitment of nurses. In terms of dual registration,
it was explained that initial discussions
and research were proceeding with the Health Board in
order to consider the possibility of providing dual registration facilities. This will include
legal counsel regarding what can be achieved. It was confirmed that it was not currently possible to give a speedy response
as initial findings of the work were required in
terms of legislation
etc.
(dd) It was explained, in response
to a further enquiry regarding the difference in payments to residential homes, that the costs of homes varied and were dependent on the conditions of the buildings, location and the type of care expertise
/ provision etc.
Currently, it was noted that work
was proceeding regarding fees to ensure a cost effective service bearing in mind
the existing financial climate. An assurance was given that a further
report would be provided to the next preparatory meeting of the Scrutiny Committee and officers would be invited to the meeting to outline the processes for setting residential
care home fees together with
the viability of private care homes in
Gwynedd.
(e) It was explained, in response
to an enquiry regarding a rural solution, that it may be necessary
to use a traditional solution, namely, to make use of the provision available in the area if
there was no space for additional
care homes.
(f)
In terms of differentiating between the number of older local people and people who are
out of County in residential care homes, the Head of Adults, Health and Well-being Department confirmed that the Department was seeking the figures for Councillor
Aled Evans. It
was further noted, that the Department had a few cases where
authorities over the border
give funding. An argument was submitted to the
Government outlining the problems
that the movement of people into Gwynedd has without their
supportive networks, however, unfortunately success thus far had been limited.
(ff) The Senior Housing
Manager explained that the Council had received a
grant for two schemes and an additional one in Porthmadog, however, there was no commitment
beyond this. It would be necessary to consider different options such as
an extra care light scheme
that was a model between sheltered housing care and extra care housing. There was no 24 hour care
within this scheme. Such a model was implemented at
Cysgod y Gogarth, Conwy.
Resolved: To request that the Head of Adults, Health and Well-being Department ensures that the following matters are included within
the accommodation strategy for older people:
(i)
·
Acknowledgement that
that there was a stock of old housing
in some areas
and therefore it was impossible to provide hospital beds in
the houses due to the specified size of a hospital bed and the need to consider different options in these
areas.
·
That additional financial recognition was required for some areas
to address the growth in the number of people who have
retired there and the cost
of providing services for them.
(ii)
Submit additional information to a preparatory meeting of this Scrutiny Committee
that will take place on
23 February 2016 to address
the following matters
·
Fees /costs and viability of private residential care homes
·
Latest literature by Bangor University
·
Extra Care Light provision
Supporting documents: