Agenda item

Report of the Chief Executive seeking approval for consultation with residents, carers and other stakeholders on the proposal to close Osborne Grove Nursing Home.

The Leader noted the report, which sought approval to enter into consultation around a proposal to close Osborne Grove Nursing Home.

Councillor Connor raised concerns that the consultation was based only on one option, namely to close the nursing home. Cllr Connor enquired whether an option to implement a temporary closure could be included, with the option to retain use of the site as in-borough nursing home provision, at a later juncture if it was required. In response, it was noted that there was a common law duty on the Council to consult with stakeholders; however the Director of Adult Social Services was putting forward this course of action as part of the statutory functions of their role. The Leader acknowledged the need to set out a range of options but advised that given the severity of the situation the primary concern had to be the quality of care offered to patients. The intention would then be to comeback with a range of follow up options. The Leader also acknowledged that there were questions around nursing home capacity both within Haringey and also sub-regionally.

Officers emphasised that no decision had been made yet on the future of the facility but stated that the consultation was effectively a binary choice between closing and not closing the service. Cabinet would then have the final decision on the outcome of the proposals. The Leader advised that significant resources had been put into bolstering the management and service delivery at Osborne Grove and that there was always an option to retain use of the facility if, for instance, a further CQC inspection reported significant improvements in care standards.

Cllr Connor sought assurances around where patients would go if the site was closed and when that information would be available to patients and their families. Officers advised that they would be speaking to patents and their families on an individual basis and would seek their input as to what type of provision they would like receive. Officers also reiterated that each patent affected would receive a further reassessment of need in the eventuality that the nursing home was closed. Officers acknowledged that there would be further conversations taking place with patents independent of the consultation outcome and advised that this was normal practice given that peoples’ needs change over time.

RESOLVED

I.        To approve for consultation with residents, carers and other stakeholders the proposal to close Osborne Grove Nursing Home.

II.        To agree that a report on the findings of the consultation and the proposed recommendation be brought back to Cabinet for a decision.

Reasons for decision

In November 2015 a decision was taken by Cabinet to retain Osborne Grove as a

nursing and residential provision and develop additional reablement and intermediate

care provision on site in partnership with the NHS. The site comprises a 32-bedded

nursing unit, with a day centre space and a large car-park in Stroud Green.

Since this decision was taken the home has been subject to a local authority led

“Establishment concerns” process to manage through a number of essential

improvements to service user safety and the quality of care. Alongside this process

CQC inspected the home in December 2016, and then again in March 2017, and the

home continues to be under special measures and is rated overall by the CQC as

“Inadequate”. An embargo is in place, and there are currently 18 residents living in the

site (down from 32 at full occupancy). The issues with the home are entrenched and

linked to ineffective management and significant competency and performance issues.

Despite significant resource investment from the Council to bring about change, it is

likely given the lack of improvements realised that the current range of issues will

remain into the foreseeable future.

            Given the above, including the protracted staffing issues, that are impacting adversely on the standards required to ensure compliance, the proposal is that OGNH be closed on quality of care and safety grounds.  There must be a period of consultation with residents, family members and other stakeholders on the proposal and before any final decision is made.  The service will continue to work to meet full compliance with the required standards of care and ensure that residents care and support needs are met.

Alternative options considered

            As noted above, there was an option to continue with the previous Cabinet decision to enter into partnership with the NHS to deliver the care at Osborne Grove Nursing Home. However, the on-going concerns with quality of care and resident safety on site has made this position untenable.

            The Council could decide to await the outcome of the CQC re-inspection. But there are serious concerns about the sustainability of planned interventions and improvements and the wellbeing and safety of residents in the short and longer term.