CARE HOMES PROPOSED TO BE DECOMMISSIONED in the Rhondda. RCT Council Cutting public services again?
Members of the public will soon be able to have their say on specific options for the Council’s future residential care provision – with an extensive, 12-week consultation period about to begin.
In November 2018, Cabinet agreed to consult on transformational options for the Local Authority’s future care provision – and Officers put forward options to substantially invest in and modernise residential services, to better meet the needs of the County Borough’s older residents. The preferred option consulted upon, from January to April 2019, was to retain and invest in key Local Authority care homes to focus on complex care and respite.
At their meeting on September 11, Cabinet considered an Officer report outlining the feedback from the January-April consultation, along with the ongoing scrutiny processes. The report outlined a proposal to retain seven care homes alongside a substantial investment in Extra Care – while four homes would be decommissioned. The proposals are outlined in full below.
Cabinet agreed to further consult on these proposals. The consultation will begin on Monday, September 30, and will end on Friday, December 20.
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During this period, the Council will provide information about the proposals to people living in its residential care homes, along with advocacy support where required. The Council will also write to relatives and key stakeholders.
Engagement sessions will take place with staff, residents and carers.
Members of the public will have access to information about the proposals from September 30, through a dedicated consultation page on the Council’s website. The Council will also use its social media accounts to promote the consultation, directing users to the homepage. Here, views and opinions can be conveyed in an online survey, while public ‘drop-in’ events will be held at:
- Rhondda Sports Centre, Ystrad – November 7, 2019 (4pm to 8pm).
- Llantrisant Leisure Centre – November 19, 2019 (4pm to 8pm).
- Sobell Leisure Centre, Aberdare – November 21, 2019 (4pm to 8pm).
Councillor Geraint Hopkins, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for Adult Services, said: “At their meeting on September 11, Cabinet considered the feedback received in an extensive consultation into the future of Council-run residential care services. Officers brought forward a specific proposal for the future make-up of the service, which would see seven care homes retained alongside five brand new Extra Care facilities, which are currently being developed. Cabinet agreed to further consult service users, staff, carers and members of the public.
“The proposal is being developed to deliver better care facilities and offer more choice for the County Borough’s older residents, who increasingly have changing expectations. Officers have made it clear that it is not possible for the Council to meet these needs within its current care homes – which was a key consideration for Cabinet in choosing to further consult on this proposal.
“The Council is committed to modernising care for older people in Rhondda Cynon Taf, through a £50m investment to deliver the new Extra Care facilities in Aberaman, Porth, Treorchy, Mountain Ash and Pontypridd.
“The Extra Care facilities would be managed by the Council’s current experienced workforce, alongside the retained care homes which would focus on complex care. The consultation feedback suggested residents want the Council to continue to lead in delivering residential care, and provide an improved range of services for complex needs.
“It is also important to note that these proposals to not include any plans for compulsory redundancies for staff.
“I would urge residents to have their say in the public consultation, which starts on September 30, lasting 12 weeks. Members of the general public will be able to view the consultation materials on the Council’s website from Monday, and have their say via an online survey. There are also three ‘drop-in’ events scheduled for November, which everyone is welcome to attend.”
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Following Cabinet’s agreement on Wednesday, September 11, the Council will be consulting on the following proposals from September 30, 2019, to December 20, 2019:
CARE HOMES TO BE RETAINED
- Clydach Court Residential Care Home, Trealaw.
- Ferndale House Residential Care Home, Ferndale.
- Pentre House Residential Care Home, Pentre.
- Tegfan Residential Care Home, Trecynon.
- Troedyrhiw Residential Care Home, Mountain Ash.
- Cae Glas Residential Care Home, Hawthorn.
- Parc Newydd Residential Care Home, Talbot Green.
CARE HOMES PROPOSED TO BE DECOMMISSIONED
- Bronllwyn Residential Care Home, Gelli.
- Ystradfechan Residential Care Home, Treorchy.
- Dan y Mynydd Residential Care Home, Porth.
- Garth Olwg Residential Care Home, Church Village.
