Issue - meetings

(To follow)

In February 2013 the Executive had approved a commissioning strategy for older people’s day opportunity services and respite at home services. Two year transitional arrangements to protect existing service users were outlined and a system for new clients, in which they would receive a Personal Budget allocation instead of a direct service referral, was described. A one-off investment from the NHS Social Care Fund was allocated to the project as Invest To Save to achieve the required efficiencies.

The transitional arrangements were reaching the final phase and it was now possible to consider the actual changes against the original projections and to project the likely final outturn on the Invest to Save investment. It was also appropriate to consider the next steps for the day opportunity services to ensure that the momentum of change was not dissipated once the transition period had ended and that services continued to develop in order to meet projected future demand. It was proposed that an Innovation and Development Fund be set up to support existing providers to make further changes and improvements to services. This would be £260k over two years.

Members asked about day centre attendance figures. At the start of the transition period in April 2013 there were about 650 service users; this had now reduced to about 500, continuing the trajectory of previous years. However, the level of need of people accessing services was increasing – particularly regarding dementia. A co-opted member commented that many older people objected to having to pay for day services on principle – they felt that government was breaking its contract with them. 

It was confirmed that transport would continue to be an essential part of the service but that alternative means of transport would be explored through the draft adult transport policy. Most people used the Council’s in-house service, but three of the providers operated their own transport. A sum of £200k was provided for this to continue in the transitional funding arrangements. 

The Committee discussed personal budgets and direct payments. It was clarified that all people coming forward for services now would have personal budgets, but this did not necessarily translate into direct payments. A small pilot project was providing support to help people to move into direct payments. 

RESOLVED that the Executive be recommended to approve the investment proposal for an Innovation and Development Fund as outlined in paragraphs 3.17 to 3.19 of the report.