update on park house - web viewfor park house employee costs have been rolled ... councillor r i...

A discussion of the decisions taken

re the ongoing care home called Park House,

St Mary’s isles of Scilly from 25 October 2015 to March 2017.

Including links to the regulations governing

the Council of the Isles of Scilly as a registered provider.

Author Vincent O’Grady B.Bus (Mkt)

Section One.

About the Author.

Vincent was born on St Mary’s in 1954, in the newly constructed Cottage hospital. His mother had had to go to the mainland for the birth of his two siblings.

Until the Age of 11 Vincent went to Carn Thomas School. He then went away every School term to Truro School as a Boarder until 1972.

After school Vincent spent a short time on Scilly working on the farm and on the boats. In 1974 he joined the West Midlands Police until he emigrated to Australia in late 1978.

In Australia new horizons emerged in the form of the telecommunications industry, where he was a Salesman, Product Manager and finally Product Marketing Manager with responsibility of product sales and manufacture with large budgets for Multi National firms.

Working full time Vincent completed his Bachelor of Business degree (majoring in Marketing) on a part time basis. This provided an excellent basis for the financial and problem solving requirements of selling into a very competitive and dynamic marketplace. With the march of technology and the digital age many challenges were overcome by techniques learned at university.

In 1992 Vincent had to retire from full time work because of severe Arthritis. However he embarked on a career as a part timeTeacher trainer at the local Technical and further Education College. Instructing in Quality systems, computers and other Engineering based subjects applicable in manufacturing environments. He also has a Teaching Qualification in Training and Assessment.

A keen student of history Vincent has researched his paternal family tree back to Ireland (Toomey and O’Grady) and on his Mother’s side back to La Rochelle in France where they were persecuted Protestants under Louis XIV.

This family background has led to a strong regard to Social Justice because of the way the Irish were treated during the Irish Potato famines in the 1840’s and the way the Protestants (Huguenots) were treated in France in the 1600’s.

That is why he is poking his nose into the Park House affair from 12,000 miles away.

Commentary

This paper is an attempt to review the actions taken by council Members and Officers from the advice given by those officers.

It is an attempt to look at the issues arising in a pragmatic and meaningful way without apportioning blame and in an unemotional way.

I will make my comments in point form

1. It is clear that recruitment of Staff for Park house has always been a problem in the period of this review.

2. It is also clear that Accommodation for the Staff of Park house who apply from the mainland has been a problem as well, although the Agency Staff seem to have been accommodated successfully.

3. It is also clear that Care staff are not the best paid jobs and therefore there may be a lack of applicants.

4. The Council Of the isles of Scilly is the registered provider of the Residential Care Home Park house.

5. It is incumbent on the Council to have competent Nominated Staff who are the audited by the Quality Care Commission.

6. The Quality Care Commission are the responsible body for Auditing the running of the Residential care facility under a set of guidelines and a set of regulations under the The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 201 (as amended).

7. The regulations cover sections such as Premises, Acting on complaints, Good Governance, staffing, duty of Candour and employment of fit and proper persons to mention a few. There are a number of offences for breaches of the regulations.

8. The demographic profile shows that in the 2011 census the proportion of people over the age of 54 was 23% of which 146 were over the Age of 80.

9. The Demographic profile of the Five Square draft report presented to the special council meeting of 27 September 2016, entitled “Future of services for older and vulnerable adults” showed that the latest figure were just under 26% (aged over 64).

10. The Sub Committee of council which is responsible for the Aged care residential facility at Park house is the Community Services Committee.

11. The Community Service committee meet 3 time a year from recorded meeting dates. At every Community Service Committee meeting the Council officer responsible for residential care has reported to Committee, normally about Budget implications and updates but once with a report entitled “Health And Social Care Integration And Hospital/Park House Redevelopment Plans” which was authored and presented by responsible officers. This was on 16 Feb 2016. The follow up to which is discussed in point 9 above.

12. At every Community Service meeting a List of key projects and their status is presented in a document called The Community Services – Service Development Plan 2015/16 In the 16 Feb 2016 update the relevant section 6.3 Stated “The service has struggled to recruit sufficient staff to post for community care and has relied of agency carers to support the service. The department has not recruited and new off island staff. The Council is now advertising in Cornwall to attract staff but housing and low wages are a barrier.” (Authors highlight)

13. In the 30 June 2016 Community Services Committee Meeting The Community Services – Service Development Plan 2015/16 plan at 6.2 said “Staffing levels have worsened since the last community service committee. Staffing plan in place”. (Authors highlight)

14. The next two meeting of the community Services Committee October 2016 and Feb 2017 were presented with the same update statement as in point 13 above Viz. “Staffing plan in place”. (Authors highlight)

15. At a special meeting of council on 27th September 2016 a strategy plan was put to council and the future of Aged services in Scilly determined by going ahead with an integrated Hospital and care facility in the longer term.

16. It is clear from reading the Option taken that the need for Qualified Staff for residential care will still be there as will their need for accommodation so the immediate problems of recruitment and somewhere to live haven’t been alleviated by adoption of that plan.

17. After the 16 Feb 2017 Community Services committee meeting a Bulletin was put up on the Isles of Scilly Council web site regarding Park house. The thrust of the Bulletin was “The pressure on the service is primarily one of recruitment” and “If you have accommodation that could be used to house care workers at Park House, the council would like to hear from you.”

18. On 20th March another bulletin was put on the council of the Isles of Scilly Website which stated that

“The Council of the Isles of Scilly has taken the difficult but essential decision to cease providing residential care at Park House by the beginning of June 2017.

19. This is a result of significant recruitment issues which mean that the service is unable to ensure a minimum safe level of staffing to meet the needs of Park House residents. All residents are currently safe and well supported and this is being maintained through the use of agency carers to augment the existing workforce. Unfortunately, despite concerted recruitment efforts, the level of vacancies within the service is too high and the current staffing arrangements are not a viable medium or long term option. If we do not act now it is expected that standards within the home will begin to decline and we need to make preparations before the situation deteriorates. (Authors highlight)

20. At no time during the period studied in Section two below has evidence been placed before the council membership to say how the Residential Care service will become unsafe. Nowhere has a proposal been put by officer to a properly constituted meeting of council to close down Park House.

21.Having regard to regulations 17.—(1) Systems or processes must be established and operated effectively to ensure compliance with the requirements in this Part.(2) Without limiting paragraph (1), such systems or processes must enable the registered person,in particular, to—(a) assess, monitor and improve the quality and safety of the services provided in thecarrying on of the regulated activity (including the quality of the experience of serviceusers in receiving those services);(b) assess, monitor and mitigate the risks relating to the health, safety and welfare of service users and others who may be at risk which arise from the carrying on of the regulated activity;(c) maintain securely an accurate, complete and contemporaneous record in respect of each service user, including a record of the care and treatment

provided to the service user and of decisions taken in relation to the care and treatment provided;(d) maintain securely such other records as are necessary to be kept in relation to—(i) persons employed in the carrying on of the regulated activity, and(ii) the management of the regulated activity;(e) seek and act on feedback from relevant persons and other persons on the servicesprovided in the carrying on of the regulated activity, for the purposes of continuallyevaluating and improving such services;(f) evaluate and improve their practice in respect of the processing of the informationreferred to in sub-paragraphs (a) to (e). And Regulations regarding Safeguarding service users from abuse and improper treatment13.—(1) Service users must be protected from abuse and improper treatment in accordance with this regulation.(2) Systems and processes must be established and operated effectively to prevent abuse of service users.(3) Systems and processes must be established and operated effectively to investigate,immediately upon becoming aware of, any allegation or evidence of such abuse.(4) Care or treatment for service users must not be provided in a way that—(a) includes discrimination against a service user on grounds of any protected characteristic (as defined in section 4 of the Equality Act 2010) of the service user,(b) includes acts intended to control or restrain a service user that are not necessary toprevent, or not a proportionate response to, a risk of harm posed to the service user oranother individual if the service user was not subject to control or restraint,(c) is degrading for the service user, or(d) significantly disregards the needs of the service user for care or treatment.(5) A service user must not be deprived of their liberty for the purpose of receiving care ortreatment without lawful authority.(6) For the purposes of this regulation— “abuse” means—(a) any behaviour towards a service user that is an offence under the Sexual Offences Act 2003(a),(b) ill-treatment (whether of a physical or psychological nature) of a service user,(c) theft, misuse or misappropriation of money or property belonging to a service user, or(d) neglect of a service user.

Could it be argued that the way that this decision was made by the council is an infringement of 13 (6) (b)?

22. Council Standing orders also state the following.25.3 The following items shall be reserved to the Council:-14 instituting new services, discontinuing or substantially altering the form, extent or quality of existing Council services;

And DELEGATION TO OFFICERS

26.1 The Council or a Committee or Sub-Committee may delegate any function to a named Officer either generally or in a particular instance. Has an officer been specifically delegated by council of Sub committee to have the power to close down this service?

http://committees.scilly.gov.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?CId=272&Year=0

21. Does a council Officer (nominated Officer) have the power to close down a service under theHealth and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 (as amended)? Having regard to the Safe care and treatment12.—(1) Care and treatment must be provided in a safe way for service users.(2) Without limiting paragraph (1), the things which a registered person must do to comply withthat paragraph include—(a) assessing the risks to the health and safety of service users of receiving

the care ortreatment;(b) doing all that is reasonably practicable to mitigate any such risks;(c) ensuring that persons providing care or treatment to service users have the qualifications,competence, skills and experience to do so safely;(d) ensuring that the premises used by the service provider are safe to use for their intended purpose and are used in a safe way;(e) ensuring that the equipment used by the service provider for providing care or treatment to a service user is safe for such use and is used in a safe way;(f) where equipment or medicines are supplied by the service provider, ensuring that there are sufficient quantities of these to ensure the safety of service users and to meet their needs;(g) the proper and safe management of medicines;(h) assessing the risk of, and preventing, detecting and controlling the spread of, infections, including those that are health care associated;(i) where responsibility for the care and treatment of service users is shared

with, ortransferred to, other persons, working with such other persons, service users

and otherappropriate persons to ensure that timely care planning takes place to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the service users.

http://committees.scilly.gov.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?CId=272&Year=0

Section Two

General.

Community and Democracy

Firstly I would like to make a comment about the community and democracy. Some ground rules as I have always understood them.

In a democratic society the norm is for the community to elect members to bodies which make decisions about the use of funds and in some cases make minor laws and for those members to discuss community issues and make decisions about issues which affect the community.

Assisting them, are a coterie of professional managers and officers who carry out the wishes of the elected members. They are essentially advisers who research issues and make proposals for the elected members to vote on.

That is the way the Westminster system of democracy works.

If those elected representatives/members are not acting according to the will of the community they represent, then they are normally replaced by an election process.

Typically representatives of the people are elected on a platform. The platform being a set of values or policies which the candidate believes will best serve the community they want to be representing.

The typical Democracy model and the Park House issue.

As with any regulated body such as a care provider, there are a series of Regulations which cover the on-going Management of such a facility.

Residential care homes in the UK are made under the following Act of the UK parliament.

The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 201

The link to the Act (accessed 25 Mar 2017) is here

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2014/2936/contents/made

and the The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) Regulations 2015

Linked to here

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/64/regulation/14/made

I would note that the Council are not in accord with the regulations because the Quality care assessment displayed on their website is for June 2015 rather than the latest one which should be 19 October 2016. I would also note that the 2015 report has One of the 5 criteria as inadequate, 4 of good and that the 2016 report has 5 ratings of good.

The Act and regulations are overseen by a body Called the Quality Care Commission which has a Guideline booklet for Care providers.

That booklet (Accessed 25 mar 2017) is here

http://www.cqc.org.uk/sites/default/files/20150324_guidance_providers_meeting_regulations_01.pdf

Within the booklet are Links to the updated regulations which cover all care provision in the UK. Those links are to the regulations above.

General demographic profile of the islands. Questions arising.

1/ 23% of the people on the islands in the 2011 census were over the age of 64 and so likely to require a greater level of Health care, including intensive residential care in the future. What demonstrable plans were made for the future care of this cohort as a result of the 2011 Census? Was the demographic profile of the islands discussed in planning meetings and future plans laid to meet the expected needs of the aged population?

2/ Did council officers report to council on the demographic profile of the islands?

3/Was a risk analysis of the Health profile of the elderly population carried out?

4/ What is the process within council regarding serious decisions concerning the community? Is there a flow chart to explain the information gathering process, analysis of that information and a clear path of action points derived from that analysis?

5/ Even though Council Officers might have divers Legal responsibilities under Act of Parliament, what is their process of informing full council meetings of those binding legal decisions?



http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/64/regulation/14/made

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2014/2936/contents/made

6/ Why wasn’t the full meeting of Council informed in detail of the problems with Park house as a matter of courtesy to the elected members of the community? Before the unilateral decision was taken to close the facility?

A meeting to inform community members of the closure of Park house was held on 21 March 2017.

Below are my observations which include a timeline of events leading to the announcement of closure of Park house.

Section Three.

Précis timeline of meetings of the Community Services Committee of council and full Council. Their evaluation of reports put to them and decisions made on those reports?

For ease of reading I have chosen a start point for this narrative which is just over one year ago. When reading the minutes, the reader should take note that Minutes of meetings are published in the next meetings documents. For example the meeting held on 15 October 2015 is reported and approved in the minutes of the meeting of 16 February 2016.

The narrative starts from the Community Services committee in February 2016 and continues to the last meeting (for which the minutes are not available to the public presently) in 2017. They will be presented for approval in the June 2017 Meeting.

The Dates on which the Community Services Committee met and which are being reviewed in this report are as follows:-

16 Feb 2017 9.30 am – Agenda

25 Oct 2016 9.30 am – Agenda

30 Jun 2016 6.30 pm - Agenda, MOVED

16 Feb 2016 9.30 am – Agenda

15 Oct 2015 9.30 am - Agenda

The dates on which full council met and made decisions regarding Residential Health Care on the Islands are as follows.

http://committees.scilly.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=119&MId=853&Ver=4





27 Sep 2016 9.30 am - Agenda, Minutes; Special

This shows that the Community Services committee of council meets formally every 4 Months or three times a year.

Critical Discussions 1

In the 15 October 2015 minutes, presented in the 16 Feb 2016 meeting of the Community Services committee it was noted by the Budget item CS34/15 that:

“ The Senior Manager: Finance & Resources presented his report entitled ‘BudgetMonitoring Report to 31 August 2015’ and dated 5 October 2015.Councillor G Bilsborough commented on the over-spend reported at Parkhouseand asked why it had occurred and what was being done to manage it.The Senior Manager: Finance & Resources said that it was being reviewed further,and that there were staffing pressures which can lead to agency staff being used,which is an expensive but necessary option.The Senior Manager: Services to Our Community remarked that an increased levelof care was needed in Parkhouse than ever before but that alternativearrangements were being investigated to see if efficiencies can be made in thelong-term.Councillor C R Daly asked where agency staff were accommodated on the islands.The Senior Manager: Services to Our Community said that sometimes privaterentals were used, but also they might stay with members of staff, and thatcreative solutions have to be found.”

(Authors italics and highlights.)

Note Critical information No 1. These overruns to the Budget relate to the Report to 31 August 2015 and they were in the minutes for 15 October Community Services meeting.

Note Critical information No 1.1 Council members asked critical questions as to Accommodation.


Note Critical information No 1.2 Alternative arrangements to an increased level of care were being investigated by Council Officers.


In the 16 February 2016 Supplement pack 1 document, presented in the 16 Feb 2016 meeting of the Community Services committee

Relevant items.

5.7 (on page 5/14 of the PDF)

For Park House Residential Care the unit costs associated with running theResidential Home exceed the income generated from the fees and chargesraised. The new pay policy introduced in May 2015 introduced additionalweekend premiums that have increased spend against this budget line andStaffing levels were also increased from 3 to 4 per shift to ensure safe carefor high dependency residents.


For Park House employee costs have been rolled forward based on thestandard assumptions within the current pay policy. This has been subject toStaff consultation and a decision by the Chief Executive is pending. This issubject to confirmation of the strategic direction of elder care services.Income has been re-appraised and now reflects a more realistic projectionbased on the actual income received in recent years


Note Critical information No 2. Budget overruns were highlighted Increase in fees discussed and increase in Staff explained.

Note Critical information No 2.1 The pay policy depends on decision by the chief Executive and that is subject to confirmation of the Strategic Direction of elder care Services.


In the 16 February 2016 Supplement pack 1 document, presented in the 16 Feb 2016 meeting of the Community Services committee

CS36/15 Health and Social Care IntegrationThe Senior Manager: Services to Our Community presented the report of theSenior Officer adult Social Care entitled ‘Update On Health And Social CareIntegration And Hospital/Park House Redevelopment Plans’ and dated 7 October2015. Author G. Peters.

The report was noted.

Agenda Item 5 (16 Feb 2016) Public reports pack begins on page 11 of 76.


Note Critical information No 3 A discussion paper was prepared by council Officers for reading and further discussion and it was noted.


In the 16 February 2016 Community Service Committee The Community Services – Service Development Plan 2015/16 was updated as follows.

6.3 Under Refer Section 6 Residential and community care.

ActionsDevelop Community Care – including ongoing recruitment ofOff Island Community Care Workers Recruit sufficient staff to meet increasing demand forcommunity services

Performance measure

Improve access to services for off island residents Service resilience to meet fluctuating demand for domiciliary care services Established off island social care presence

Time scale

Ongoing

Resourse

ExistingBudgets

RAG Review Feb 2016.

RedThe service has struggledto recruit sufficient staffto post for communitycare and has relied ofagency carers to supportthe service. Thedepartment has notrecruited and new offislandstaff. The Council is now advertising inCornwall to attract staffbut housing and lowwages are a barrier.


Note Critical information No 4 A Tabulated report with the relevant key Performance indicatiors and outcomes was presented informing members that Staffing levels were reliant on Agency Staff and that the council is advertising in Cornwall but housing (presumably Accommodation for Staff) and low Wages are a barrier).


In the 30 June 2016 meeting of the community Services Committee

CS24/16 Growing Old on Scilly - options appraisal update (verbal update)The Senior Manager: Services to our Community presented a verbal updatearound ‘Growing Old on Scilly – options appraisal’.She said that a company called Five Square had been appointed to undertake theconsultation for all the islands, including public meetings on each island and aconsultation to each household, with a full draft of options appraisal to be takento Full Council in August 2016.Councillor G Bilsborough asked if more information would be brought to thatmeeting so that a full and frank debate could happen at Council in August.The Senior Officer: Services to our Community replied that the results of thequestionnaire would be shared at that meeting and detailed in that report.

The Chairman welcomed the report, and the chance for Members to consider theoptions put forward in August.(The Vice-Chairman left the room)Resolved:That the verbal update be noted.


Note Critical information No 5 A verbal update was given to councillors on the committee that a firm (Five Square) had been engaged to Sample residents across the gain feedback for Future Strategy In a report entitled “growing old in Scilly Options appraisal.” And further that that report be taken to Full council In August.


In the 30 June 2016 meeting of the community Services Committee

Community Services development plan update in this Committee date.

Section 6.2 Under Refer Section 6 Residential and community care.

6.2 ActionsDevelop Community Care – including ongoing recruitment ofOff Island Community Care Workers Recruit sufficient staff to meet increasing demand forcommunity services

Performance measure. Improve access to services for off island residents Service resilience to meet fluctuating demand for domiciliary care services Established off island social care Presence

TimescaleOngoing

Resource.ExistingBudgets

UpdateStaffing levels haveworsened since the lastcommunity servicecommittee. Staffingplan in place.


Note Critical information No 6 A Tabulated report with the relevant key Performance indicatiors and outcomes was presented informing members that Staffing levels had worstened since the last report. (February meeting) and that a Staffing plan was in place.


Full Council meeting 2nd August 2016.

C46/16 Verbal Update: Eldercare Options AppraisalThe Senior Manager: Services to Our Community gave a verbal update on theEldercare Options Appraisal.She advised that the consultation element for the piece of work had now beencompleted with about 90 people attending face-to-face events, 160questionnaires being returned, and interviews taking place with key stakeholders.She noted there was a sticking point with health partners on the mainland whohad not yet provided all the data that was required, and that efforts were beingmade with the assistance of the Chief Executive to extricate that data as quickly aspossible.She said the report would be available in draft form by 7 September and that, ifMembers so desired, she would be happy to arrange an early discussion with themon the contents of the report shortly after that date.Resolved:That the verbal update be noted


Note Critical information No 6 That the Elder care options appraisal was not yet complete but that a draft would be available by 7 September 2016


Special council meeting of 27 September 2016.

Minutes of that meeting which were presented and approved at the 6 Dec 2016 meeting.

http://committees.scilly.gov.uk/documents/s20389/Minutes%20of%20Previous%20Meeting.pdf

Report pack containing the report “Future of services for older and vulnerable adults”

http://committees.scilly.gov.uk/documents/g945/Public%20reports%20pack%2006th-Dec-2016%2013.30%20FULL%20COUNCIL.pdf?T=10

Resolved in the minutes.

C57/15 Future of services for older and vulnerable adultsThe Senior Manager – Services to our Community presented her report entitled‘Future of services for older and vulnerable adults’ and dated 15 September 2016.She said that it was clear that the Authority needed to find a better way to helppeople in need of care, and she asked Members to read the report and bringcomments back to Officers.




She said that a move to offer alternative arrangements was pioneering, but wasvital as Parkhouse had become much too inefficient, with problems retainingquality staff.The Chairman of Council thanked her, and her team, for the hard work that hadgone into the process to date.Councillor Mrs C S Savill said it was a fantastic report and would mark a watershedsuccess if it could be accomplished.The Vice-Chairman of Council felt the report was very useful, with all anglesconsidered fully.Members discussed recommendation 1: That Members approve the developmentof an innovative project to pursue an integrated health and care service (ServiceModel Option 3) located in a single health and social care facility (both EstateOption Model 4 - extension of existing St Mary’s hospital site and Estate OptionModel 5 –a new purpose built social care hub) in line with government policy, thatmaximises use of resources and provides the best outcomes for service users.(All Members voted in favour of Recommendation 1.)Members discussed recommendation 2: That Members mandate Officers todevelop a formal governance structure with health partners to deliver the project.Councillor Mrs F M Grottick asked that Members be given regular updates as itprogressed.The Chairman of Council agreed that it should happen, and that there would befull involvement of Members and partners throughout the process.The Senior Manager: Services to Our Community said it was vital that all wereinvolved.(All Members voted in favour of recommendation 2.)Members discussed recommendation 3: That the options appraisal forms the basisof a Strategic Outline Business Case for submission to the Cornwall and Isles ofScilly Sustainable Transformation Plan.(All Members voted in favour of recommendation 3.)Councillor Mrs F M Grottick proposed a fourth recommendation: That Any plans toaffect any substantive change in the service provision for be brought back to fullcouncil for approval.The Chairman of Council remarked that it was a matter of course that any changeswould be brought back before Council.

FC - 27.9.16 Page 6Councillor Mrs C S Savill said that Standing Orders necessitated that Full Council beconsulted on any changes to service provision.Councillor Mrs F M Grottick felt that it was important to regard ‘changes’ to

service provision as something that could have a nuanced meaning, and may notnecessarily be brought back before Council.She said it was important for the Authority to seek to reassure the community thatthey would be fully involved in the process at every point.Councillor G Bilsborough seconded her proposal.Councillor Mrs F M Grottick said she would prefer to withdraw her proposal, andthat it would suffice that the discussion on the matter itself was part of the publicrecord.Resolved:1. That the development of an innovative project to pursue an integratedhealth and care service (Service Model Option 3) located in a single healthand social care facility (both Estate Option Model 4 - extension of existingSt Mary’s hospital site and Estate Option Model 5 –a new purpose builtsocial care hub) in line with government policy, that maximises use ofresources and provides the best outcomes for service users be approved.2. That Officers be mandated to develop a formal governance structure withhealth partners to deliver the project.3. That the options appraisal forms the basis of a Strategic Outline BusinessCase for submission to the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly SustainableTransformation Plan.

Note Critical information No 7 That the Elder care options report (Draft) was presented and all options considered and voted on as per the above resolutions. There was no discussion on or decision to close Park House.

Note Critical information No 7.1 During the discussion about the options one of the councillors, highlighted the fact that

“That Any plans to affect any substantive change in the service provision for be brought back to full council for approval.The Chairman of Council remarked that it was a matter of course that any changeswould be brought back before Council.”

Surely this involves the closure of Park House and that was not done.


Meeting of the Community Services Committee 25 Oct 2016

Minutes presented at the Community Services Committee of 16 February 2017. Extracts which relate to care.

CS29/16 Urgent ItemsThe Chairman announced that Parkhouse had received a ‘Good’ rating by OFSTED, (Author’s note OFSTED is the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills)

and gave praise to the department.She also gave thanks to the departing Mrs Jane Trimarco, for her work at ParkHouse.She noted that the agenda was short for the morning but explained that thebusiness on the agenda was important to consider, and that Full Council hadrecently undertaken to review the options analysis for eldercare, which wascommended by the Chairman.She pointed out that a finalised budget report was still to be produced but that itwould be sent to Members when complete. She said that an abbreviatedpresentation would be made at the meeting.

And......

The Senior Manager: Strategic Development noted that there were someanomalies in the Better Care budget which needed to be rectified.The Chairman remarked that pay for care workers was of great importance, andimprovements to their pay should be investigated in order to make the role moreattractive.She requested that Age UK provide a presentation at the next meeting of thecommittee.

And.....

Councillor G Bilsborough sought reassurance that all services could be fundedthrough existing budget provisions.The Senior Manager: Services to our Community replied that was not possible, andthat the Better Care Fund would be vital to many services. She said that thedepartment were working within existing budgets where possible, but that somebig issues were still unresolved such as the ongoing cost of Park House.

And.......

The Chairman noted this and said it was important to remember the small scale ofresources on the islands and that it was impossible to cover everything theAuthority aspired to achieve.The Senior Manager: Services to our Community agreed, and commented that theservice plan was aspirational and that some realism could be applied, particularlywhen setting the budget for the 2017/18.She pointed out that a locum manager was in place at Park House that was costingmore money than a permanent manager, and so the impact on the budget wasgoing to be significant.The Senior Manager: Strategic Development remarked that the budget set for ParkHouse appeared to be unrealistic, with over-estimation of self-funding users whichhad subsequently affected the whole departmental budget.

Councillor Mrs A W Mumford felt that housing for a new manager was critical.Councillor C R Daly asked if the most recent increases in fees for Park House had

played a big part in the subsequent financial situation.The Senior Manager: Services to our Community replied that it had not.She also highlighted the need for the Healthwatch contract to be held by someoneother than herself as it represented a conflict of interest.

And.....

Resolved:1. That the report be noted.

Note Critical information No 8 Minutes reflect budgetary pressures as well as Care Staff pay pressures. The report was noted.

Community Services development plan update in this Committee date presented 25 Oct 2016.




TimescaleOngoing




Note Critical information No 8.1 A Tabulated report with the relevant key Performance indicatiors and outcomes was presented informing members that Staffing

levels had worstened since the last report. (June meeting) and that a Staffing plan was in place.


Meeting of the Community Services Committee 16 Feb 2017

Community Services development plan update in this Committee date presented 16 Feb 2017




TimescaleOngoing


Updated Feb 2017.Staffing levels haveworsened since the lastcommunity servicecommittee. Staffingplan in place.


Note Critical information No 9 A Tabulated report with the relevant key Performance indicatiors and outcomes was presented informing members that Staffing levels had worstened since the last report. (June meeting) and that a Staffing plan was in place.


The following bulletin was placed on the Council website.

Update on Park HouseWe would like to make the community aware of the current challenges being faced by Park House residential and home care services. This is due to difficulties recruiting sufficient new staff, particularly experienced carers. The council will not be allowed to operate the service if we cannot ensure minimum safe staffing levels.

The pressure on the service is primarily one of recruitment. Currently the council spends approximately £1.2 million per year on adult social care, this is 79% of the authority’s total Council Tax income.

Over the last 12 months, there has been an increasing dependency on agency staff to maintain the service. This is not a viable long-term solution. Agency workers are unable to undertake certain aspects of care work such as medicine management. There are also logistical and cost implications due to the need to provide housing, flights and agent fees. Continuity of care for residents is also affected.

At present, Park House is a safe place for residents and the intention is to increase our efforts to recruit staff to ensure it can continue operate in the future. To this end we are holding an open day on Tuesday 21 February 2017 from 2pm - 8pm where anyone interested in working in care will be able to come along to find out more.

If you have accommodation that could be used to house care workers at Park House, the council would like to hear from you. Please contact the Senior Officer Adult Social care, Gareth Peters, at [email protected] or call 01720 422148.

Looking after the vulnerable members of our community is our prime consideration.

Publishing date:

Friday, 17 February, 2017

Note Critical information No 10 This bulletin was posted the day after the meeting of the Community services committee on 16th Feb 2017. It does mention Agency staff and it does mention Cost, but does not mention a crisis with Accommodation.


Closure of Park house (Bulletin on 20 Mar 2017. In full)

mailto:[email protected]

Park House Residential Services to closeThe Council of the Isles of Scilly has taken the difficult but essential decision to cease providing residential care at Park House by the beginning of June 2017.

This is a result of significant recruitment issues which mean that the service is unable to ensure a minimum safe level of staffing to meet the needs of Park House residents. All residents are currently safe and well supported and this is being maintained through the use of agency carers to augment the existing workforce. Unfortunately, despite concerted recruitment efforts, the level of vacancies within the service is too high and the current staffing arrangements are not a viable medium or long term option. If we do not act now it is expected that standards within the home will begin to decline and we need to make preparations before the situation deteriorates.

We are currently preparing the closure plan which is expected to take two months. We are working closely with residents and their families to identify an appropriate alternative care arrangement to meet each person’s individual needs and requirements.

We are also supporting the current workforce at Park House who have worked tirelessly to maintain the service and who provide such good care to our service users, this led to the service receiving a ‘Good’ rating from the Care Quality Commission in October 2016. There will always be a requirement for carers on the islands.

The Council will continue to provide services to people in their own homes and we are working with staff, service users, carers and health partners to look at ways to improve those services. Though we will no longer be able to provide overnight accommodation at Park House we are looking at using the building to provide day care services, as well developing in-home sleeping and respite services. The Council is also pursuing the option of an integrated health and care facility, to include long term care beds, at the Hospital site. However this option is long term and cannot address the immediate needs of our service users. Similarly, plans for affordable housing at the Carn Thomas site will also be of benefit but only in the longer term.

Further details on these ideas and an opportunity to ask questions will be available at the St Mary’s Public Meeting on Tuesday 21 March at 4.30pm in the Town Hall and at off-island meetings during the week commencing 27 March. A list of frequently asked questions will be posted on the Council website following those meetings.

There is obviously a lot of speculation about such a significant change to service provision. We would like to assure the community that this decision is purely based on the ability of the service to provide safe care and is not financially driven. Elected members have not, unlike in many other Local Authorities, approved any cuts to the Adult Social Care budget. In fact the Adult Social Care budget for 2017/18 approved in March was increased to fully fund the operation of a residential care home. There have also been significant efforts to recruit staff but from mid-April the staffing situation will jeopardise safe care and also threatens our ability to meet the increasing demand for care for people in their own homes.

Publishing date: Monday, 20 March, 2017

Note Critical information No 11 This bulletin was posted on the council Web site exactly 30 Days after the meeting of the Community Services committee meeting on 16th February 2017.

Note Critical information No 11.1 The minutes of the meeting of the community Services committee are not approved until that committee meets next, which appears to be in June 2017. However a Youtube video exists of the meeting which when viewed was not presented with a resolution to close the Facility at Park House.

Note Critical information No 11.2 Since the Special full Council meeting of 27th September 2016, when the Draft Strategic plan authored by Five Square and when the Option 3 Service option (integrated Hospital and care facility) was approved for preliminary discussion with a care partner, was passed, no proposal to close Park House (which is a fundamental Change in Service) has been put before council.

End of Critical Discussion and Information gleaned from Public documents on the council Web site.The Council Web site is here.

http://committees.scilly.gov.uk/uuCoverPage.aspx?bcr=1

http://committees.scilly.gov.uk/uuCoverPage.aspx?bcr=1

Section Four

Working documents.

Extended timeline and Quotes from minutes with relevant links to the council documents.

15 October 2015 Meeting of Community Services Committee.

Please refer to 16 Feb meeting for minutes of 15 October meeting.

16 Feb 2016 Meeting of Community Services Committee.

Supplement Pack 1 Published 9 Feb 2016

http://committees.scilly.gov.uk/documents/b50001359/SUPPLEMENT%20PACK%201%2016th-Feb-2016%2009.30%20Community%20Services%20Committee.pdf?T=9

Discussion of budget.

Main Points.


For Park House Residential Care the unit costs associated with running theResidential Home exceed the income generated from the fees and chargesraised. The new pay policy introduced in May 2015 introduced additionalweekend premiums that have increased spend against this budget line andStaffing levels were also increased from 3 to 4 per shift to ensure safe carefor high dependency residents.


For Park House employee costs have been rolled forward based on thestandard assumptions within the current pay policy. This has been subject toStaff consultation and a decision by the Chief Executive is pending. This issubject to confirmation of the strategic direction of elder care services.Income has been re-appraised and now reflects a more realistic projectionbased on the actual income received in recent years

Minutes for the previous meeting on 15 October 2015. Presented for adoption 16 Feb 2016

CS34/15 Budget Monitoring Report to 31 August 2015The Senior Manager: Finance & Resources presented his report entitled ‘BudgetMonitoring Report to 31 August 2015’ and dated 5 October 2015.Councillor G Bilsborough commented on the over-spend reported at Parkhouseand asked why it had occurred and what was being done to manage it.The Senior Manager: Finance & Resources said that it was being reviewed further,and that there were staffing pressures which can lead to agency staff being used,which is an expensive but necessary option.The Senior Manager: Services to Our Community remarked that an increased levelof care was needed in Parkhouse than ever before but that alternativearrangements were being investigated to see if efficiencies can be made in thelong-term.Councillor C R Daly asked where agency staff were accommodated on the islands.The Senior Manager: Services to Our Community said that sometimes privaterentals were used, but also they might stay with members of staff, and thatcreative solutions have to be found.

CS36/15 Health and Social Care Integration



The Senior Manager: Services to Our Community presented the report of theSenior Officer adult Social Care entitled ‘Update On Health And Social CareIntegration And Hospital/Park House Redevelopment Plans’ and dated 7 October2015.She said that current environment for dementia care was not great and that ahybrid facility at St Mary’s Hospital was being investigated in terms of sharedresources and improved efficiency.She felt that the islands should commit to the idea of moving towards the facilityand regard the cost of implementing the move as secondary, as costs would berecovered over time through more efficient management of resources.

CS - 15.10.15 Page 4Councillor R I McCarthy said that in the foreseeable future there would be a pointat which Parkhouse would hit saturation point, and so any move to improve thisarea of work was vital to the islands.Councillor G Bilsborough asked how likely it was to obtain the necessary capitalfunding from the government.The Senior Manager: Services to Our Community said that the onus was on theAuthority to formulate a plan with robust figures to show the likelihood ofefficiencies and better outcomes for the community.Councillor R I McCarthy pointed out that the project could be just what thegovernment were looking for and could even be a flagship for other areas of thecountry.Councillor C R Daly gave praise for the officers charged with progressing theproject to the current situation.Councillor Mrs K M Bennett said that officers should be mindful that it wasongoing revenue costs, not initial capital costs, that will determine the success orfailure of such a project.Resolved:That the report be noted.

Agenda Item 5 (16 Feb 2016) Public reports pack begins on page 11 of 76.

FUTURE MODELS OF ELDER CARE FOR THE ISLANDS report.

The important parts (recommended that the whole report be read).

http://committees.scilly.gov.uk/documents/g854/Public%20reports%20pack%2016th-Feb-2016%2009.30%20Community%20Services%20Committee.pdf?T=10

1.3 There is currently under-provision of housing suitable for older people on the islands.1.4 Government policy is that people must be cared for within their own homes as muchas possible.1.5 An element of residential care/nursing care will always be essential for our




population. This does not have to be provided on the islands but historically has been.1.6 There has been significant in-year pressure on adult social care budgets given theincreased needs of our residential care clients and difficulties in recruiting staff.1.7 The current model of care on the islands has a heavy focus on residential care whichis in conflict with providing care at home; some residents in Park House could havestayed at home if there was more community provision.1.8 At the same time we are trying to transform the delivery of adult social care and healthservices on the islands to provide integrated, seamless, personalised provision toclients that improves outcomes and maintains independent living.1.9 The Council is part of a wider health and social care system that covers Cornwall andthe Isles of Scilly. System leaders are moving towards an integrated commissioningmodel with a current proposal that Kernow Clinical Commissioning Group leads onAdult Care. It is essential that the Council represents the needs of the communityduring these changes including any potential impact from the ‘Cornwall Deal’.1.10 The key question is: how do we provide care closer to home in line with governmentpolicy and most individual’s wishes? And how do we, with limited resources, providethat service to a rapidly ageing population with growing health needs?2. Intended Outcomes2.1 Members agree the strategic direction for the provision of elder care services, raiseany other options not considered and agree the development of a transformationplan.

Proposals as follows.

4. Proposals4.1 I t is proposed that the Council continues to work with Health and Third sector partnersto review and explore meaningful integration of Health and Social care on the islands.The work commenced by Dr John Garman has ensured that the patient has remainedat the centre of service planning. There will also be a consultation event in lateFebruary/early March with health partners to consult on options.4.2 Officers will produce an options appraisal in collaboration with health colleagues, forthe future delivery of elder care on the islands. These options will be submitted to theCommittee for a decision on the strategic direction of elder care services. WithMember direction, the following options are recommended for appraisal; we ask thatMembers raise any additional options not outlined below that they would like us toinvestigate: Option 1: Do nothing. Continue to run Park House at its current location andapply recommended measures to increase income and reduce staff costs. Option 2: Continue to explore the development of a co-located hospital andnursing/dementia unit at the hospital site. Some work on this option hasalready commenced with health partners and service users. Option 3: Explore the transformation of the current service to integrate withhealth partners and increase the offer of community based support. This willrequire a transfer of staff resource from a residential setting into thecommunity. This option could also include a hospital development that can

provide inpatient rehabilitation to promote independence, space to enablecarers respite and enhanced day facilities. It would also require thecommissioning of mainland care homes for those who are assessed as unableto remain at home safely.

30 June 2016 meeting of Community Services Committee.

Minutes of Meeting were presented at 25 October meeting.

Growing Old in Scilly.

CS24/16 Growing Old on Scilly - options appraisal update (verbal update)The Senior Manager: Services to our Community presented a verbal updatearound ‘Growing Old on Scilly – options appraisal’.She said that a company called Five Square had been appointed to undertake theconsultation for all the islands, including public meetings on each island and aconsultation to each household, with a full draft of options appraisal to be takento Full Council in August 2016.Councillor G Bilsborough asked if more information would be brought to thatmeeting so that a full and frank debate could happen at Council in August.The Senior Officer: Services to our Community replied that the results of thequestionnaire would be shared at that meeting and detailed in that report.

The Chairman welcomed the report, and the chance for Members to consider theoptions put forward in August.(The Vice-Chairman left the room)Resolved:That the verbal update be noted.

Community Services development plan update in this Committee date.

Refer Section 6 Residential and community care.



TimescaleOngoing



Council meeting 2nd August 2016.

From the minutes of that meeting

C46/16 Verbal Update: Eldercare Options AppraisalThe Senior Manager: Services to Our Community gave a verbal update on theEldercare Options Appraisal.She advised that the consultation element for the piece of work had now beencompleted with about 90 people attending face-to-face events, 160questionnaires being returned, and interviews taking place with key stakeholders.She noted there was a sticking point with health partners on the mainland whohad not yet provided all the data that was required, and that efforts were beingmade with the assistance of the Chief Executive to extricate that data as quickly aspossible.She said the report would be available in draft form by 7 September and that, ifMembers so desired, she would be happy to arrange an early discussion with themon the contents of the report shortly after that date.Resolved:That the verbal update be noted

Special Council Meeting 27 September 2016.

Minutes of that meeting.


Report pack containing the report “Future of services for older and vulnerable adults”


Resolved in the minutes.

C57/15 Future of services for older and vulnerable adultsThe Senior Manager – Services to our Community presented her report entitled




‘Future of services for older and vulnerable adults’ and dated 15 September 2016.She said that it was clear that the Authority needed to find a better way to helppeople in need of care, and she asked Members to read the report and bringcomments back to Officers.She said that a move to offer alternative arrangements was pioneering, but wasvital as Parkhouse had become much too inefficient, with problems retainingquality staff.The Chairman of Council thanked her, and her team, for the hard work that hadgone into the process to date.Councillor Mrs C S Savill said it was a fantastic report and would mark a watershedsuccess if it could be accomplished.The Vice-Chairman of Council felt the report was very useful, with all anglesconsidered fully.Members discussed recommendation 1: That Members approve the developmentof an innovative project to pursue an integrated health and care service (ServiceModel Option 3) located in a single health and social care facility (both EstateOption Model 4 - extension of existing St Mary’s hospital site and Estate OptionModel 5 –a new purpose built social care hub) in line with government policy, thatmaximises use of resources and provides the best outcomes for service users.(All Members voted in favour of Recommendation 1.)Members discussed recommendation 2: That Members mandate Officers todevelop a formal governance structure with health partners to deliver the project.Councillor Mrs F M Grottick asked that Members be given regular updates as itprogressed.The Chairman of Council agreed that it should happen, and that there would befull involvement of Members and partners throughout the process.The Senior Manager: Services to Our Community said it was vital that all wereinvolved.(All Members voted in favour of recommendation 2.)Members discussed recommendation 3: That the options appraisal forms the basisof a Strategic Outline Business Case for submission to the Cornwall and Isles ofScilly Sustainable Transformation Plan.(All Members voted in favour of recommendation 3.)Councillor Mrs F M Grottick proposed a fourth recommendation: That Any plans toaffect any substantive change in the service provision for be brought back to fullcouncil for approval.The Chairman of Council remarked that it was a matter of course that any changeswould be brought back before Council.

FC - 27.9.16 Page 6Councillor Mrs C S Savill said that Standing Orders necessitated that Full Council beconsulted on any changes to service provision.Councillor Mrs F M Grottick felt that it was important to regard ‘changes’ toservice provision as something that could have a nuanced meaning, and may notnecessarily be brought back before Council.She said it was important for the Authority to seek to reassure the community thatthey would be fully involved in the process at every point.Councillor G Bilsborough seconded her proposal.Councillor Mrs F M Grottick said she would prefer to withdraw her proposal, andthat it would suffice that the discussion on the matter itself was part of the publicrecord.Resolved:1. That the development of an innovative project to pursue an integratedhealth and care service (Service Model Option 3) located in a single healthand social care facility (both Estate Option Model 4 - extension of existingSt Mary’s hospital site and Estate Option Model 5 –a new purpose builtsocial care hub) in line with government policy, that maximises use ofresources and provides the best outcomes for service users be approved.2. That Officers be mandated to develop a formal governance structure withhealth partners to deliver the project.3. That the options appraisal forms the basis of a Strategic Outline BusinessCase for submission to the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly SustainableTransformation Plan.

Note. Nothing was discussed about the immediate closure of Park House.

Here is Service model option 3. Page 160/196 in the pdf. Note this report is in Draft form only.

Option 3: fully integrated health and care services. A single provider withintegrated teams providing seamless services to the community andincorporating services currently provided on the islands by the Council,Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, and South Western AmbulanceService NHS Foundation Trust:§ Residential / nursing care beds§ Community hospital beds§ Minor injuries unit§ Community/district nursing§ Support to visiting outpatients clinics§ Day care§ Reablement§ Section 136 (Mental Health Act) room§ Domiciliary care§ Emergency response serviceAn integrated health and care team would provide care, treatment andsupport to patients and residents in the Integrated Health and Care Hub, andto residents in the community. Table 9 below details the staffing required forthis service. We have calculated the cost of staff based on mid point of

band plus employer’s on costs and have allowed for unsocial hours upliftswhere appropriate.

Table 9

Bed based services would provide 15 beds to be used flexibly across hospital,nursing and residential requirements. This minimises low occupancy rates andresults in greater efficiency of staff time.A further development of this option, but not included here, would be to takethe integration of services even further and create a Single AccountableProvider, incorporating Primary Care (General Practice, Optometry andPharmacy).

Meeting of the Community Services Committee 16 February 2017.

Please not the minutes for this meeting are not publically available yet. They are normally produced for the June meeting although a Youtube video of the actual meeting is available.

Refer Section 6 Community Services development Plan Update.

Residential and Community Care.

6.2

Actions Develop Community Care – including ongoing recruitment ofOff Island Community Care Workers Recruit sufficient staff to meet increasing demand forcommunity services

Performance measure Improve access to services for off island residents Service resilience to meet fluctuating demand fordomiciliary care services Established off island social care presence

Time scale

Ongoing

Resource

ExistingBudgets

Updated Feb 2017.

Staffing levels haveworsened since the lastcommunity servicecommittee. Staffingplan in place.

Council Notice of 17 February 2017. On Council Website. The day after the meeting.

http://www.scilly.gov.uk/news/update-park-house

In full.

Update on Park HouseWe would like to make the community aware of the current challenges being faced by Park House residential and home care services. This is due to difficulties recruiting sufficient new staff, particularly experienced carers. The council will not be allowed to operate the service if we cannot ensure minimum safe staffing levels.

http://www.scilly.gov.uk/news/update-park-house

The pressure on the service is primarily one of recruitment. Currently the council spends approximately £1.2 million per year on adult social care, this is 79% of the authority’s total Council Tax income.

Over the last 12 months, there has been an increasing dependency on agency staff to maintain the service. This is not a viable long-term solution. Agency workers are unable to undertake certain aspects of care work such as medicine management. There are also logistical and cost implications due to the need to provide housing, flights and agent fees. Continuity of care for residents is also affected.

At present, Park House is a safe place for residents and the intention is to increase our efforts to recruit staff to ensure it can continue operate in the future. To this end we are holding an open day on Tuesday 21 February 2017 from 2pm - 8pm where anyone interested in working in care will be able to come along to find out more.

If you have accommodation that could be used to house care workers at Park House, the council would like to hear from you. Please contact the Senior Officer Adult Social care, Gareth Peters, at [email protected] or call 01720 422148.

Looking after the vulnerable members of our community is our prime consideration.

Publishing date:

Friday, 17 February, 2017

Council Notice of Tuesday 7 march 2017.

http://www.scilly.gov.uk/news/accommodation-required-park-house-care-staff

In full.

Accommodation required for Park House care staffDo you have a spare room or other accommodation that could house Park House care workers? As the community is aware, we are finding it difficult to recruit full time carers and senior carers for the residential and community care service. A key barrier we have identified is the lack of housing to accommodate staff year round.

If you have any suitable accommodation, please contact Gareth Peters on 01720 422148 or email [email protected].

Publishing date:

Tuesday, 7 March, 2017

Council Notice of Monday 20th March 2017. Published on council Website.



http://www.scilly.gov.uk/news/park-house-residential-services-close

In Full.

The Council of the Isles of Scilly has taken the difficult but essential decision to cease providing residential care at Park House by the beginning of June 2017.

This is a result of significant recruitment issues which mean that the service is unable to ensure a minimum safe level of staffing to meet the needs of Park House residents. All residents are currently safe and well supported and this is being maintained through the use of agency carers to augment the existing workforce. Unfortunately, despite concerted recruitment efforts, the level of vacancies within the service is too high and the current staffing arrangements are not a viable medium or long term option. If we do not act now it is expected that standards within the home will begin to decline and we need to make preparations before the situation deteriorates.

We are currently preparing the closure plan which is expected to take two months. We are working closely with residents and their families to identify an appropriate alternative care arrangement to meet each person’s individual needs and requirements.

We are also supporting the current workforce at Park House who have worked tirelessly to maintain the service and who provide such good care to our service users, this led to the service receiving a ‘Good’ rating from the Care Quality Commission in October 2016. There will always be a requirement for carers on the islands.

The Council will continue to provide services to people in their own homes and we are working with staff, service users, carers and health partners to look at ways to improve those services. Though we will no longer be able to provide overnight accommodation at Park House we are looking at using the building to provide day care services, as well developing in-home sleeping and respite services. The Council is also pursuing the option of an integrated health and care facility, to include long term care beds, at the Hospital site. However this option is long term and cannot address the immediate needs of our service users. Similarly, plans for affordable housing at the Carn Thomas site will also be of benefit but only in the longer term.

Further details on these ideas and an opportunity to ask questions will be available at the St Mary’s Public Meeting on Tuesday 21 March at 4.30pm in the Town Hall and at off-island meetings during the week commencing 27 March. A list of frequently asked questions will be posted on the Council website following those meetings.

There is obviously a lot of speculation about such a significant change to service provision. We would like to assure the community that this decision is purely based on the ability of the service to provide safe care and is not financially driven. Elected members have not, unlike in many other Local Authorities, approved any cuts to the Adult Social Care budget. In fact the Adult Social Care budget for 2017/18 approved in March was increased to fully fund the operation of a residential care home. There have also been significant efforts to recruit staff but from mid-April the staffing situation will jeopardise safe care and also threatens our ability to meet the increasing demand for care for people in their own homes.

http://www.scilly.gov.uk/news/park-house-residential-services-close

Publishing date: Monday, 20 March, 2017