Issue - meetings

Cllr John Thomson, Cabinet member for Adult Care, Communities and Housing presented a report on nursing provision for older people including those with mental health problems and people with physical impairment.

He sought Cabinet approval to commission 350 beds through block contracts and a further 133 through framework agreements for the provision of nursing home care for people over 65 years and those with physical impairments who were assessed as requiring residential care.

This work would be undertaken in partnership with the NHS who would be commissioning a further 256 beds. This would assist with making the offer to providers very attractive and would ensure continuity of care for residents in nursing homes.

Cllr Thomson guided Cabinet through the proposals and responded to questions including updating Cabinet on the position with regards to care homes in the County managed by Southerncross. Cllr Thomson also assured Cabinet that details would be provided to scrutiny in a timely manner to enable them to undertake the scrutiny process. 

Resolved:

That Cabinet approves the procurement of block contracts and framework agreements with the NHS for the provision of nursing home care for Wiltshire residents as outlined in the report presented.

Reason for Decision

In taking this approach the Council will benefit from greater security of market supply and achieve efficiencies through economies of scale. This will facilitate the discharge of people from hospital and ensure availability of nursing care throughout the county.