New Way Forward for City Elderly Persons Homes

Following its statutory consultation and the review carried out by members of Leicester City Council’s adult social care scrutiny committee, the council is now looking at a clear way forward for its elderly persons’ homes.

Assistant City Mayor Cllr Mohammed Dawood, who is responsible for adult social care, said: “We all agree that change is needed. That change needs to be carefully introduced and planned over the next few years and not driven by short-term budget pressures. So we will ensure that there is adequate funding to enable changes to take place in a structured and timely way that fully recognises the needs and wishes of existing residents and their families.

“There is still a lot of work for us to do if we are to find the best solution for each home. Most importantly, we will continue to work with residents as solutions begin to emerge.”

Although the council still has final decisions to make, it is likely that it will continue with some direct provision for the next few years and almost certainly up to 2014/2015. But it will also be looking at how services need to change in the long term.

It is also looking to convert two of its homes into intermediate care homes, aimed at helping people to stay independent in their own homes for as long as possible, in line with national policy.

Chair of the council’s adult social care scrutiny committee, Cllr Paul Westley, said: “We welcome the commitment that the future of our elderly persons’ homes will be based on people’s needs. It is really good news that the council will work in partnership with other agencies and continue to provide its own residential care for the next three years whilst the longer term future of our homes is resolved.”

As part of its considerations, the council will shortly be starting work on developing a better understanding of what real interest there might be in the market place for taking on the management and ownership of its homes and whether or not there are acceptable alternative providers who might be able to meet the council’s rigorous standards of care. ‘Soft market testing’ will help the council to clarify its options so that when it comes to decide on the preferred solution, it can do so with a full understanding of the implications.

The council will continue to work closely with the Alzheimer’s Society to make sure all residents are appropriately represented.

As a way forward begins to emerge for each home, the council will make it a priority to keep residents and their families fully informed about its plans and will make sure that any impact on residents and staff is fully understood and carefully managed.

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