Decision details

To approve the provision of provision of 47 Hospital Support Discharge Unit Beds to allow customers who have tested positive for Covid 19 to be discharged from hospital in timely manner to continue their journey.

Two providers have been selected and the total value for initial period is anticipated to be £1,080.00. Please see appendix 1 for details of the contracts to be awarded.

The contracts shall have staggered commencement dates with the initial contract on the 09th April with the initial term expiring on the 31st July 2020.

Discussions in relation to exit provisions are on going and may require a separate Record of Officer Decision Report to be produced.

To allow either the Strategic Procurement Hub or Legal services to enter in to the resulting contracts in line with the Council’s Constitution and Schemes of Delegation.

1. There is an urgent need to secure additional in a care home setting because:

a. The UK is experiencing a pandemic outbreak of the COVID–19 virus.

b. There is an established need to support the wider health and care system. NHS modelling shows that the acute hospitals serving Wiltshire are very likely to imminently breach their capacity in the first weeks of April.

c. The provision of these services will mean that customers can be supported in a nursing environment having tested positive for Covid – 19 in a nursing environment following discharge from an NHS Hospital. This will help support the health system by releasing beds in NHS hospitals for those in greater need of specialist healthcare support.

d. A block contract agreement for additional nursing bed capacity will mean that customers can be discharged quickly, without delay, compared to alternative commissioning arrangements. This therefore provides more responsive capacity needed to support such discharges.

2. I confirm that in making this decision I have considered the following in line with Wiltshire Council’s Constitution:

Key decision requirements: Yes

Views of relevant cabinet member(s), committee chairman, area board(s): NA

Consultation with cabinet member(s), the Leader and Scrutiny (for Executive decisions taken under Emergency Powers): Leader via CEOs

Consultation with local members (as appropriate): NA

Consideration of the area boards and delegated decision checklist for officers on the issue of when and how to involve local councillors and area boards in decisions about local services: NA

Implication of any council policy, initiative, strategy or procedure: yes

Consultation in accordance with requirements and expectations of consultation with the public: NA

Range of options available: yes

Staffing, financial and legal implications: yes

Risk assessment: yes

Involvement of statutory officers and/or directors: yes

Regional or national guidance from other bodies:yes

The council’s constitution: yes

This contract is suitable for execution under the e-signature process: NA

4. No other options were considered.