Issue - meetings

To receive an update on the recommendations made further to the Scrutiny Review of Access to Services for Older People in April 2008.

The Committee received the report updating on the progress of the recommendations made in the Overview and Scrutiny Review of Access to Services for Older People, April 2008, introduced by Lisa Redfern, Assistant Director – Adult Services.

The Committee asked how the service monitored the Direct Payments system to ensure that users did not spend funds inappropriately and noted that each direct payment bank account was audited by the care manager and a direct payment could be reprieved if required.  With regard to Personalisation, the Committee noted that all staff were being trained to ensure the programme ran well and was monitored properly.

The Committee asked for confirmation that that the Cabinet had written to the Department of Health to encourage more funding to allow the Council to support the low and moderate bandings of Fair Access to Care Services in line with the well-being agenda.

The Committee emphasised the importance of sustainable transport services for older people (recommendation 15) and that current systems were inflexible and often did not turn up when ordered.  The Assistant Director – Adult Services advised members that organisations such as Dial-A-Ride, Taxi-Cars and Computer Cabs were accountable to Transport for London and the Mayor of London.

RESOLVED that the report be noted and the update to the initial recommendations set during the Overview & Scrutiny review of Access to Services for Older People at Appendix 1 of the report be agreed.