Agenda item

Residential Care Review

Decision:

(a) That the immediate and longer-term challenges faced in Flintshire be noted;

(b) That the need for national reform in the funding of the social care sector in Wales be supported, and the position to engage with a new Welsh Government to develop solutions as a matter of urgency be endorsed;

(d) That Councillor Aaron Shotton contacts all local authorities in Wales to invite them to press the Welsh Government for adequate and sustainable funding for social care; and

(e) That Councillor Aaron Shotton makes contact with the new Minister for Health and Social Services to present the case for additional funding for the care sector.

Minutes:

The Chief Executive welcomed the representatives from the Health Board to the meeting. He commented on the changes taking place within the care sector in Wales and England and the subsequent challenges in Flintshire. The Chief Executive referred to the need to for a collaborative approach, working constructively and strategically, to find creative solutions to the challenges with the Welsh Government (WG) and key partners such as the Health Board.

The Chief Executive, gave background information and a joint presentation with the Chief Officer (Social Services) and Senior Manager Safeguarding and Commissioning on the care sector. The main points of the presentation were as follows:

· background (national and local)

· local context

· fragility of the Sector

· immediate cost pressures

· changes coming over the next 5 years

· Flintshire residential care review

· Care Homes in the Independent sector

· a positive approach to Care

· potential solutions

· conclusions

The Chair invited Mr. Ged Fitzpatrick, representative of Flintshire Care providers, to report on the issues concerning maintaining domiciliary care services in Flintshire. Mr. Fitzpatrick reported on the impact of the implementation of the “national living wage”, and increases in national insurance, holiday pay and pensions, and the need to pay travel time for care workers. He welcomed the Flintshire fee increase of 4% but said this gave a 16% shortfall. Mr. Fitzpatrick referred to the loss of quality care provision, the delayed transfer of care, the economic loss in terms of Flintshire jobs and businesses and the issue of recruitment, retention and training of staff. He stated that a third of all providers of domicillary care services were predicted to leave the industry in 2016/17 due to lack of funding. Mr. Fitzpatrick commented on the shared vison of reablement and referred to the need to support people at home for as long as possible. He raised concerns around the issue of delayed assessments.

In concluding his comments Mr. Fitzpatrick emphasised the importance of recognising the valuable role that the small business sector undertakes in providing care to the most vulnerable people in society. He commented on the future demands of an ageing population and on the dilemma faced by current providers to sustain a viable business for the future.

Reena Cartmel, Betsi Cadwaladr Community Health Board representative, acknowledged the need to work together in partnership to find local solutions. She commented on the need to commission a quality service and to determine what services were required with a view to making further efficiencies together. She referred to the comments made by Claire Mather . around training requirements across the health and care sector and suggested that the domiciliary care sector and Health could join together to offer training opportunities and support and referred to ‘safeguarding’ as an example. Referring to school leavers she commented on the need for organisations to find local creative solutions and said that BCUHB were very much ‘around the table’ with a commitment to work together to find solutions.

Councillor Aaron Shotton commented on the false economy of insufficiently funding social care and emphasised the case for a radical overhaul of the funding formula and said he intended to make representations to get this message across to the Welsh Government.

Councillor David Wisinger expressed concern at the poor attendance at the meeting and added that if Members could not be present they should arrange a substitute. The Chair also expressed her disappointment at the low number of Committee members present and said she intended to follow this up.

Councillor David Wisinger spoke in support of a delegation to the Welsh Government to lobby the case for funding for social care and demonstrate the potential ‘crisis’ in the independent sector.

Councillor Ian Dunbar raised concerns around the increase cost of fees in residential care homes.

Councillor Paul Shotton commented on the additional financial pressure on care home providers in the private sector due to the increase in the national living wage which was not funded by local government. He said he wished to see greater promotion of the career opportunities in social care in schools and through further education.

In summary the Chie Executive and Chief Officer thanked the representatives from the Independent sector and Health for their attendance and comprehensive input at the meeting. They commented on the need to keep positive dialogue open and to work in partnership to make residential and domiciliary services sustainable for the future.

RESOLVED:

(a) That the immediate and longer-term challenges faced in Flintshire be noted;

(d) That Councillor Aaron Shotton contacts all local authorities in Wales to invite them to press the Welsh Government for adequate and sustainable funding for social care; and

(e) That Councillor Aaron Shotton makes contact with the new Minister for Health and Social Services to present the case for additional funding for the care sector.

Supporting documents: