Minutes:
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service – Integrated Risk Management Plan
The Chair reported that he had asked officers to write a letter to Mr Chandler the Chief Fire and Rescue Officer / Chief Executive Officer of the Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, on behalf of the Overview Select Committee. The letter affirmed that at the previous meeting of the committee, members were unanimous in their view that the Leicester Central Fire Station should not close.
Councillor Chaplin stated that the issue of joint working had also been discussed; however this did not just relate to joint working with blue light agencies but to sharing services and provisions, such as personnel and communication services with other authorities.
Report of the Finance Task Group – Adult Social Care Intermediate Care Facility
Councillor Palmer, Deputy City Mayor with responsibility for Adult Social Care, Health Integration and Wellbeing, and the Strategic Director, Adult Social Care provided an update on the Intermediate Care Facility as requested at the previous meeting.
· Currently there were 40 intermediate care beds in Preston Lodge; during the previous year the occupancy rate had been approximately 60% which meant that the facility was underutilised.
· The aim of intermediate care was for the person to step down from needing a hospital bed, before being able to return home. However, the statistics showed instead that almost half of the people died, went into care or returned to hospital.
· The evidence was that there could be better outcomes by providing that intermediate care in people’s own homes and an ambitious programme of Extra Care provision could be driven forward by re-allocating £6.7m from Intermediate Care to Extra Care as part of the capital programme.
A member commented that the planned intention was welcomed and previously at Adult Social Care Scrutiny, Members had queried whether a 60 bed Intermediate Care Facility was needed. He questioned whether the to be site used was that previously allocated for the Intermediate Care Facility.
The Deputy City Mayor responded that the decision taken was based on a needs analysis undertaken at that time, but since then the demand pattern had changed. In respect of the site, they would be looking at a number of options including multiple sites.
Councillor Chaplin queried that if the situation changed so quickly over a period of two years, what would happen if it changed again. The Deputy City Mayor explained that there would still be intermediate care beds at Preston Lodge if they were needed.
Councillor Chaplin, as Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Commission asked for information to be brought to the commission as the work on this progressed.
Queries were raised as to how extra care in people’s homes would be delivered; there were concerns that insufficient time was allocated for domiciliary care. Comments were made that it was important to help people to be as independent as possible, but care at home could not be left to district nurses. The Deputy City Mayor agreed that it was important to help people remain independent and explained that this care at home would be the responsibility of the Reablement Service. Intensive support would be available where appropriate for people sent home after their discharge from hospital. For some however, this would not be an option and they might need to go to Preston Lodge for intermediate care.
Councillor Cleaver, Chair of Adult Social Care Scrutiny Commission commented that she agreed with what was being proposed alongside the correct care provision and good supportive services. She looked forward to this coming to the Adult Social Care Scrutiny Commission in due course.