Issue - meetings

      Report of the Chief Executive.

Cllr Simon Jacobs, Cabinet member for Adult Social Care, Public Health and Public Protection introduced the report which provided a number of proposals for the successful recommissioning and procurement of nursing and residential care capacity.

Cllr Jacobs explained that the existing nursing block and residential/nursing frameworks were coming to an end in March 2021 and a new commissioning and procurement platform for care homes activity was required.

Cllr Pip Ridout, Chair of the Financial Planning Task Group, Cllr Chuck Berry, Chair and Cllr Gordon King, Vice-Chair of the Health Select Committee reported that they had received a briefing on 4 January 2021. The Councillors explained that they welcomed and support the proposals as set out in the report.   

In response to a question from Cllr Ian Thorn, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Cllr Jacobs explained that the proposals were made in a timely manner and reflect the new platform for the commissioning and procurement of residential beds in Wiltshire.

Resolved:

1.    To note the development and implementation of a new commissioning and procurement platform for nursing and residential beds in Wiltshire. This platform will be in the form of a pseudo-dynamic purchasing system known as the ‘Care Home Alliance’, or ‘Alliance’.

2.    To note that under the Alliance, ‘Draw Down Contracts’ can be tendered for by the providers who are Alliance members. This enables the Council to be more flexible if it needs to tender at short notice as it has due to COVID and winter pressures.

3.    As identified in appendix 1 (Indicative Procurement Timeline) of the report, the Alliance will commence on 8th February 2021. The first ‘Draw Down Contracts’ will be tendered in February 2021 with contract commencement on 1st April 2021. These contracts will be for:

a)    Block contract nursing beds

b)    Framework contract beds for both nursing and residential care

c)    ‘Passive’ nursing and residential care services required on an ad-hoc basis (as identified in the Alliance tender documentation) to enable the Council to quickly and compliantly secure services in response to urgent system need and its strategic priorities.

4.    To delegate authority to make decisions connected with the procurement and award new contracts and all associated documents to the Director Joint Commissioning in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Public Health and Public Protection and the Corporate Director of Resources.

5.    That officers will continue to assess demand and market conditions and urgent care system needs to review the level of block beds required under the Alliance.

Reason for Decision:

A new commissioning approach to secure value for money nursing and residential care capacity is required due to the expiry of existing contracts and market conditions, which remain challenging.