Decision details

8.1              The Cabinet considered a report by the Director of Adult Social Care and Health together with comments of the People Scrutiny Committee Review Board and representations received from Sussex Development Community Association.

8.2           It was RESOLVED to –

1)    agree to continue the model of service at the Phoenix Centre and to re-tender;

2)    agree to close the services delivered through the Charter Centre and Isabel Blackman Centre and re-commission this care in the Independent Sector; and

3)    delegate to the Director of Adult Social Care and Health authority to take all necessary actions to give effect to the implementation of the above recommendations

Reason

8.3       There is strong local support to retain the day services at the Charter, Phoenix and Isabel Blackman Centres.  The views of carers reflected concern at possible loss of service, quality of staff and capacity to support carers through the respite element of day services. There are a range of viable options to re-commission the day care provision currently delivered at two of the three centres, Charter Centre and Isabel Blackman Centre, whilst ensuring that the current clients continue to be properly supported. The local availability of alternative services combined with low occupancy and high unit costs means that maintaining this provision in the current format is not considered good value. 

8.4       The Cabinet therefore agreed to re-commission alternative services in the independent sector. This supports the strategic direction for older peoples’ day services by developing the market, challenging price and developing longer term sustainability of service provision. Implementation will deliver savings of £188,000 from older people’s commissioned day services