Issue - meetings

[Report of the Assistant Director for Commissioning. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Adults and Health.]

Appraisal of development options for Osborne Grove Nursing Home.

The Cabinet Member for Adults and Health introduced the report which set out the outcome of the Feasibility Study, carried out to assess the future development of Osborne Grove Nursing Home and seeking agreement to Option 4 as the preferred option of the Feasibility Study. This option was to demolish the current building and rebuild a 70 bed nursing provision including the clinic site, ensuring that the use of the site overall was maximised.

The Cabinet Member reported on the significant consultation undertaken on the proposals with the co-production group which included key stakeholders such as the families of residents at Osborne Grove, trade unions, staff and public health partners. The Cabinet Member was pleased to recommend option 4 for approval.

There were questions from Councillors Barnes and das Neves, and the following information was noted:

• There would be a further report to Cabinet in September on proposals for consultation to close the Home (for the purpose of the development and other reasons) and relocate existing residents to suitable alternative accommodation that will meet their needs and promote their wellbeing. As part of this process, residents and families would be consulted and assurance provided that no moves would be taken forward hastily.

• In relation to including sprinklers in the design of the new build, it was noted that the Council were not excluding this but exploring what this would mean and keeping this option open.

• In noting that the current care home premises was not suitable for nursing care and that the original design was for respite care, the feasibility study was welcomed and the depth and seriousness of the work commended. The Cabinet Member agreed that it was important to future proof any new design according to the services needed.

• The Cabinet Member re-iterated that the Council would be accommodating the existing residents and there would be careful risk assessments and mitigations around the move. The wishes of existing residents and their families would be covered in consultation process. It was also noted that the families of the residents have been participating in co-design group and have approved the option 4.

• Assurance was further provided that with the changing financial climate in local government funding, the site was preserved for nursing home use and there were mitigations in place to counter any change of use. The Cabinet Member emphasised that this was a significant investment in public services and the capital cost was reflected in the report. It was hoped that the seriousness of the intent to provide nursing care and nursing beds was recognised. The site provided an opportunity for greater number of nursing beds to be available to the borough for people who need this in the future. This was a public partnership and the Council would look at the delivery options with the support of the NHS for the clinical expertise to ensure this facility was provided.

RESOLVED

1. To note the outcome of the Feasibility Study carried out with regard to the future development of Osborne  ...  view the full minutes text for item 183