Consultation – modernising care for older people in Rhondda Cynon Taf
Local residents will be able to have their say on proposals to modernise care for older people in Rhondda Cynon Taf – through a 12-week consultation on future options for both residential and day care services.
In November 2018, Cabinet Members agreed to consult on transformational options for the Local Authority’s care provision – and proposals put forward outlined options to substantially invest in and modernise residential and day care services to better meet the needs of the County Borough’s older residents. The consultation period will begin on Monday, January 14, and run for 12 weeks, ending on April 8.
During this period, the Council will provide information about the proposals to people living in its 11 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 and residents of each care home, along with staff and users of the Council’s day care centres at Tonyrefail, Trecynon, Riverside, Ferndale and Bronllwyn.
Members of the public will have access to information about the proposals from January 14, through a dedicated consultation webpage 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 – March 13, 2019 (2pm to 8pm).
- Sobell Leisure Centre, Aberdare – March 21, 2019 (2pm to 8pm).
- Llantrisant Leisure Centre – March 28, 2019 (2pm to 8pm).
At the heart of the proposals is a planned £50m investment in Extra Care across Rhondda Cynon Taf – to build five brand new facilities and increase the total number of Extra Care places to 300 across the County Borough.
Extra Care delivers modern accommodation to allow residents to live as independently as possible in their own homes. They are modern, built-for-purpose buildings, where residents have 24/7 access to targeted support for their assessed needs.
Following an independent review, the following options are being consulted upon:
Residential Care
OPTION 1 – Continue existing arrangements.
OPTION 2 – Phased decommissioning of all Council care homes.
OPTION 3 – The Council retains some of its residential care homes, to focus on complex care. This is the Council’s preferred option.
Day Care
OPTION 1 – Continue existing arrangements.
OPTION 2 – Phased decommissioning of all five day care centres, introducing a new service model offering universal services and opportunities for older people in Community Hubs, along with day services for assessed care needs and specialist dementia care. This is the Council’s preferred option.
The consultation material will be published on January 14, and will be available to view on the following link: www.rctcbc.gov.uk/consultations.