Agenda item

Report of the Director of Community Services is circulated.

The Deputy Leader as Cabinet member for Adult Care, Communities and Libraries presented a report which sought approval to develop a 66 bed facility on the existing Paddocks site, following a consultation period with the residents and their families.  The new facility would provide purpose-built accommodation for older people with dementia. 

The Deputy Leader explained that although the Paddocks provided excellent care it could no longer be considered fit for purpose and would need to be modernised to conform to modern standards, which was not possible due to the constraints of the existing building.

Resolved:

That Cabinet:-

a.     agrees the redevelopment of The Paddocks to provide dementia care, following a consultation period with the residents;

b.     approves the financial implications of delivering this proposal:

                I.     Short term increase in care costs for those who relocate into extra care, to be offset by longer term reduction in costs.

              II.     Fit out costs for the building for relocated residents, to a maximum of £70,000;

            III.     Land swap:  to note negotiations were ongoing and the final sum has not yet been agreed.

c.     delegates authority to the Director of Community Services and the Director of Resources to agree the final sum for the land swap between The Paddocks and Old Sarum if required. In the event that a part cash payment is necessary, it would be funded from within the Adult Care Capital Programme and the land swap would not be completed until it had been demonstrated that funding was available.

Reason for Decision

Demographic projections indicate there will be significant growth in the 65+ age group in Trowbridge from 7,210 in 2007 to 12,580 in 2026 (74.5% increase).  Additionally, the number of people aged 50+ with dementia in Trowbridge will increase by 85% by 2026.  It was identified in the Accommodation Strategy for Older People that there is an adequate supply of residential care but an identified shortage of dementia and nursing home provision in Wiltshire. 

The Paddocks is a 30 bedded home which was built in the 1970s.  The bedrooms do not have en-suite facilities and communal space is very limited.  Due to its current condition and design, this building is no longer considered ‘fit for purpose’ as the space standards preclude the provision of care to people with high level needs.

The focus of national policies (Putting People First; National Housing Strategy for an Aging Society; Our Health Our Care Our Say) support older people to remain independent, healthy and active.  This proposal offers opportunities for greater independence, choice and control for the current residents of The Paddocks, with one option being to move into their own apartment within the Trowbridge Extra Care Scheme.  People will continue receiving appropriate levels of care, but with the focus on reablement, people will be supported to become more independent.  The redeveloped facility will deliver a purpose built environment that encourages people who require specialist support to maximise their potential.

Orders of St John Care Trust are prepared to fund this development through private borrowing, provided that the Council agree to purchase services as part of our existing long term block contract agreement.  This is permissible within the terms of our existing arrangements.