Issue - meetings

Background:

This report sought permission to commence the procurement of the contract for the provision of Residential and Nursing Care for Older People (Aged 65+).

Ensuring that the most vulnerable in the community are cared for and supported was one of the most important roles of the Council. Priority 1 of the One Medway Council Plan was Delivering quality social care and community services. 

Under the Care Act 2014 local authorities had a statutory duty to support vulnerable people assessed as being eligible for adult social care support. One way in which local authorities did this was by commissioning Residential and Nursing Care providers to deliver care and support to their residents.

A Diversity Impact Assessment was set out at Appendix 1 to the report.

Reasons:

The new Residential and Nursing Care for Older People (Aged 65+) contract will deliver a service that will enable the following:

·      Aim to reduce the need to spot purchase or individually contract for complex/specialist care for older people (Aged 65+). This will be achieved by reviewing the current bandings to reflect an individual’s mental and physical level of need rather than a diagnosis of dementia).

·      To standardise services across Medway Council and Kent County Council and create a clearer understanding between authorities about the services commissioned through the alignment of specifications for example in terms of provider quality, KPI’s and performance. This considers the Local Government Reorganisation proposals.

·      Creates comparative services for providers who operate across the Kent and Medway border, contributing to greater market management on a collective basis.

·      Supports the national and local principles of social care and health integration.