Overview Our starting point was not the consultation options The - PDF document

14/12/11 Overview • Our starting point was not the consultation options The future of • We looked at the need for residential care Elderly Person’s Homes • We looked at the current provision • We analysed the reasons that have been put Cllr Paul Westley and Cllr Ross Willmott forward to support closure/privatisation • We concluded that the homes should stay open and be run by the council First Consultation Options Consultation Process 1. We stop running residential care homes 2. We close six of the council’s homes and work with residents and • First EPH consultation was not well received by their families to find new accommodation residents and families – needed to be done again. 3. We redevelop the two remaining Council run homes, to provide short stay support. • Consultation was communicated as being Second Consultation Options ‘extended’ throughout July-Sept with different options. 1. Reinvest in intermediate care through closing some or all of the homes • Still waiting for feedback from second 2. Selling or leasing all or some of the homes as going concerns consultation. 3. Reduce the number of homes by closing those with low occupancy and not having anymore admissions to the homes. Original reasons for proposed 1. More older people, fewer resources available? closure/privatisation • Over 85s fastest growing age group • Leicester has 5,200 over 85s, by 2030 there will be 8,100 1. More older people, fewer resources available • ONS population stats underestimated by 25% over 2. Decreasing popularity of Council homes last 50 years = 10,125 over 85’s by 2030 3. Move to intermediate care facilities only • Larger numbers of people with higher care needs 4. Large scale, costly refurbishment needed • Even though more people will be able to stay in own home 5. Comparatively high running costs • The need for residential care will remain • Why would the private sector want to take over homes? 1

14/12/11 2. Popularity of Council homes decreasing? Popularity of Council homes decreasing? • Need for residential care in Leicester remains • Admissions trends show no real pattern of decline until we get to the year consultation • Occupancy for independent sector is 83%, on closure started & safeguarding issues 46% in Council-run homes because: – 05/06 69 – Homes have been under threat of review – 06/07 68 – Evidence of bed blocking – 07/08 58 – Safeguarding issues which resulted in staff suspensions meant that places were suspended – 08/09 74 from more than one home. – 09/10 43 • Homes are fit for purpose – 10/11 32 3. Move to intermediate facilities only? 4. Large scale refurbishment needed? Intermediate care is a term used to represent a range of • Large scale refurbishment not necessary if integrated health and/or social care services that as part of an agreed care plan aim to: homes stay as they are • promote faster recovery from illness • Refurbishment as proposed necessary if • prevent unnecessary admission to hospital purpose of home is changed • support timely discharge following an acute hospital admission • Staff, residents and families consider homes to • prevent premature admission to long-term residential care be very good as they are • maximise your chances of living independently. • But….all homes could do with minor improvements Intermediate care could be offered in many of the homes as there is space for additional facilities alongside the longer stay residents. Refurbishment Costs Large scale refurbishment needed? • Quoted refurbishment costs were based on a Full Maintenance New Build Cost notional formula to transform homes to Unit Refurbishment Backlog (£) (£) intermediate care facilities based on floor area Cost (£) only - £900k - £1.4m Abbey House 61,455 960,000 1,900,000 Arbor House 72,100 1,400,000 2,800,000 • £2.17million spent on maintenance in last 5 Cooper House 62,400 900,000 1,800,000 years Elizabeth House 120,655 1,200,000 2,300,000 • £7m invested in homes over last 15 years Herrick Lodge 119,780 1,100,000 2,100,000 • No reason to consider them in poor condition Nuffield House 28,910 950,000 1,900,000 Preston Lodge 65,450 1,400,000 2,700,000 • Latest condition survey gives estimated repair Thurncourt 16,400 1,100,000 2,200,000 costs of £7.5m over next 15 years 2

14/12/11 5. Comparatively high running costs? Comparatively high running costs? • Like for like, running costs are similar to • Unit costs of running a private home - £372 p/week independently-run homes apart from staffing • Unit costs of running a council home £579 p/week costs, because in our homes: • Take out staff costs then unit costs are – Staffing levels are maintained irrespective of levels – £79.61 p/week for private homes of occupancy – £71.80 p/week for council homes – staff wages and terms and conditions are better • Staff conditions in private sector – Night staff following fire safety advice – Pay Minimum Wage £6.08p/hr (LCC average £9.40p/hr) – Staff resident ratios are better 1:4 care staff per – No sick pay resident as against 1:7 in private – No pensions – 1:7 staff resident ratios during day time (compared to average 1:4 for LCC homes) There is convincing evidence to doubt each reason given for proposed closure/privatisation 1. More older people, fewer resources available 2. Decreasing popularity of Council homes 3. Move to intermediate facilities only 4. Large scale, costly refurbishment needed 5. Comparatively high running costs Cooper House Arbour House “Probably located in one of the best “What a great place for an older positions of any of the homes, with person to live. I spoke to residents the back overlooking the Arboretum. who said they like living here. I saw The residents and relatives had staff communicating well to nothing but praise for the home and residents. I spoke to family visitors staff and all of them bar one that we who were happy with the care spoke to were happy with where Scope for development: Scope for development: provided. My overall view is I would • Hairdressing salon needs • Space to develop a flat they were.” refurbishing live there”. upstairs to bring in extra • Previous refurbishment income. Cllr Cleaver Cllr Willmott work needs finishing e.g. • Garden paving could be £624,000 invested in 1996, windows tracking in bathrooms extended so residents can replaced 05/06 £43,000 • Garden area £401,000 invested in 1994. Windows replaced 05/06 walk around whole • Scope to develop more £48,000 garden. rooms 3

14/12/11 Herrick Lodge Elizabeth House “My husband had wanted to “They’ve been coming round move in. One of the reasons surveying this house – they’re why he didn’t move was going to sell it.” because he was uncertain of the future of the home.” Relative of Pat Humphreys Scope for development: Scope for development: • Scope for assessment Resident at Herrick Lodge • Garden needs attention £634,000 invested in 1998 rooms, respite and shared • Redecoration needed Widows replaced 2005/6 - £41,000 flats upstairs. • Lighting needs updating in £449,000 invested in 1995 • Refurbishment work part of building Windows replaced 2005/6 - £46,000 previously undertaken • Carpet needs replacing • Top floor not used Abbey House Nuffield House “ I do know that residents were categorically told that the home “My Mother has been a resident of would be turned into respite care, and Nuffield House for over 2 years and is they couldn’t stay in this home as it very happy there. I am full of praise would upset them to see the high for the staff and how well they care turnover of respite care residents. It is for my Mum, how they protect her their home – the carers have become dignity and provide a warm their family. When they go out on Scope for development: stimulating environment. She will be Specialist provision at trips they just want to get back there. • Décor does look tired – devastated if it closes – as will myself this home with the My mum’s not the easiest person to only cosmetic Older Person’s Mental and family” • Windows replaced 2006 - get on with, but they know exactly Health Wing £48,000 Windows replaced in how to get the best out of her. • Broadband width needs Cynthia Bromily, Mother of Resident 2006 £62,000 increasing Joan Roberts, Relative of resident Preston Lodge Thurncourt Many carers spoke at Commission Was refurbished and redeveloped in meetings: 1997 with and investment of “this is about people’s homes not just £590,000. Including new windows in property and money, the council 2006. needs to think about the effect on people” “From listening to other families it is “the Council should not have decided £592,000 invested in 1998 Has had £312,351 invested clear that council run homes are months ago that they could not windows replaced in 2005 - in it over last 5 years £75,000 providing similar (high quality) care afford to run the homes when they Has specialist support with as at Nuffield House” did not know the costs” an older persons mental £288,281 invested in last 5 Health wing years 4

14/12/11 Keep our elderly persons homes open and run by Leicester City Council 5