Issue - meetings

Report CS17091

The Portfolio Holder introduced a report setting out the monitoring arrangements for Care Homes and Extra Care Housing Schemes in Bromley and comments on performance received during 2016, including the performance of block contracts for nursing beds and Extra Care Housing.  The report also considered the impact of the introduction of the National Living Wage from 1^st April 2016 on fees, which was estimated to be £1m based on 2016/17 prices, and requested that funds set aside in the contingency budget to fund this increase be released. 

A Co-opted Member reported that Healthwatch Bromley continued to undertake visits to Care Homes and Extra Care Housing Schemes in the Borough and queried if there had been any progress in introducing a programme of activities to Extra Care Housing Schemes.  The Head of Contract Compliance and Monitoring advised Members that a tender process was underway for this service and that the provision of activities had been included in the contract specification.  A report on Extra Care Housing Schemes would be considered at the next meeting of Care Services PDS Committee on 21^st March 2017.

In considering a care home that had an overall rating of ‘Requires Improvement’, a Member queried how care homes were supported to improve.  The Head of Contract Compliance and Monitoring confirmed that  the care home in question had previously been rated as ‘Inadequate’ and had undertaken a programme of works to improve its service provision.  Where care homes were rated as ‘Inadequate’, each resident was assessed and given the opportunity to move provision.  The majority of residents chose to remain in their care home, and the Local Authority worked closely with these care homes to improve service provision with an emphasis on the safeguarding of residents.  This included mentoring by care home providers rated as ‘Good’, and a programme of visits by the Contract Compliance Team, Care Quality Commission and Adult Social Care Service. 

The Chairman reported that following the identification of safeguarding concerns around care workers recording and supplying medicines by the Care Services PDS Committee, a letter had been sent to the Bromley Safeguarding Adults Board and the Bromley Clinical Commissioning Group and a response was awaited.  The Chairman noted that care homes should be able to meet the palliative care needs of their residents to support them to remain in their homes.

RESOLVED that:

1)  Members’ comments on the contents of this report be noted; and,

2)  The Council’s Executive be recommended to agree the drawdown of £1m from the Central Contingency Budget for 2017/18 as set out in paragraph 13.6 of Report CS17091.