Extensive consultation agreed over proposals for residential and day care provision
Cabinet Members have agreed for the Council to undertake an extensive consultation process over transformational options for residential and day care provision in Rhondda Cynon Taf.
At their meeting on Wednesday, November 21, Cabinet considered a report outlining an independent review into the current services, and Members agreed to a 12-week consultation on a preferred option to substantially modernise and invest in their delivery – to better meet the future needs of older residents. The consultation will begin during the New Year.
An independent review into residential care, outlined in the report, has highlighted the benefits of the current provision and modernisation programme, and recommends a phased shift from provision within the Council care homes to a model based on Cabinet’s previous agreement for a £50m investment plan to develop 300 Extra Care beds across Rhondda Cynon Taf. This will deliver modern accommodation options to meet changing needs.
Building on the findings of the review, Members of the Cabinet were asked to consider a preferred model to form part of the extensive consultation exercise.
The preferred proposal, which Members have now agreed to consult on, would see the Council enhance its in-house service delivery model, focusing more on complex care and respite in the future. To support this move, the commissioning of standard residential and nursing care would be supported by the external market. This option would see the Council invest and focus upon providing a better service for those residents with more complex needs.
Cabinet was also presented with a preferred option to phase the transformation of day services in line with a modernised and enhanced new service model, as a result of the review.
This new model seeks to cater for the changing needs and aspirations of older people by refocusing internal provision on complex care and would include four key elements – universal services, older people opportunities within Community Hubs, day care services for assessed care needs, and specialist dementia care.
Councillor Geraint Hopkins, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Community Services and Welsh Language, said: “The changing needs of older generations today, and in the future, is one of the most significant challenges facing our society. In order to look to the future, and to inform its modernisation and improvement programme, the Council commissioned an independent review into the delivery of older people’s services.
“Cabinet Members have discussed a report outlining the independent review, which has set out proposed options to respond to the changing demands of older residents into the future. Members agreed to an extensive consultation around the future shape of both residential care and day care provisions – to ensure we create the right model of service delivery to respond to increasing demand and changing needs.
“The preferred option, which will now be consulted upon, would provide residents with the choice, wherever possible, across an improved range of options and specialisms, while also creating greater stability in the wider care-sector. This approach would see the continuation of the Council’s high-quality care, through our Adult Social Care Service, which is recognised and valued by residents supported by significant modernisation.
“Key to the proposals is the delivery of better care facilities for a new generation of older people. We want to ensure we continue to provide the very best level of care and support for residents into the future, by taking proactive steps now to respond to future needs.
“The development of Extra Care is a fundamental building block of this new approach and Cabinet has already agreed the Council’s extra care vision which will create an additional 300 beds. The first of five future projects, at Club Street in Aberaman, is currently being constructed.
“Following Cabinet’s agreement during Wednesday’s meeting, the Council will consult to understand the views, needs and aspiration of residents and other stakeholders. This extensive 12-week process, starting in the New Year, will inform a potential future decision on how best to support our older generation into the future.”
As part of a move to a new future model, Cabinet has also agreed to manage admission across the current range of services during this period, to minimise impact upon service users until such a time that a definitive decision on the future shape of services is determined by the Council.
