To receive a verbal update, from the Director Adult Social Services, following the decision made by Cabinet in December 2017.
Minutes:
The Chair welcomed some relatives of residents of Osborne Grove Nursing Home to the meeting, who were later given opportunity to set out their assessment of the Home and the experiences of their relatives.
The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Culture set out her reservation at this item being considered by the Panel at this time, given that the decision to close the home had been made by Cabinet in December, and not called in. The process to close the home, including consultation with staff and residents and relatives was underway and needed to be well understood by residents and relatives. The Chair noted that this was a scheduled update and that it would be helpful to hear relatives’ concerns, and that the Panel did not seek to give false hope or confuse the process, but wanted to help ensure relatives understood the process.
Beverley Tarka, the Director of Adults’ Services, outlined the process for supporting residents of Osborne Grove as the site was closed, and Claire Henderson of the Clinical Commissioning Group set out the activity undertaken to address the concerns about the quality of care at the site.
The Panel heard that relatives have deep concerns about the process for closing Osborne Grove, and did not feel that they were fully and impartially informed about their rights and options. They also did not understand the rationale for closing the centre, and set out their favourable impressions of the facility, noting the worry created for the Nursing Home’s staff.
Their greater concern was for the wellbeing of relatives, who were comfortable at Osborne Grove and for whom moving would cause a risk. The level of uncertainty they faced was unnerving, and the possibility of being re-located far away would impact negatively on the ability of family members and friends to visit and support residents.
The Panel also heard that the Care Quality Commission had improved its assessment of Osborne Grove. In similar situations elsewhere, a centre performing poorly would often have a longer period in which it could improve practice.
The Panel suggested that the Council’s intended meeting with families be held as a matter of urgency, and also that families should be provided with a pack of information that would give them advice on the process of closure, their rights and options. I understand that these suggestions have been acted on, which we welcome.
The Panel heard that the options appraisal for the future of the site, that had been expected to be considered by Cabinet in January, had been delayed as the options were developed further. The Panel noted that this was for the future provision of nursing care on the Osborne Grove site, and felt that it would be sensible for those options to be considered before the potentially unnecessary disruption and risk that would accompany closure.
Following discussion, the Chair suggested that there be a recommendation to Cabinet that the process of implementing its decision to close Osborne Grove be paused, pending the options appraisal being available. On being seconded by Councillor Bull and put to the vote, there being five of the six members in favour, it was
RESOLVED
That the Panel recommend that Cabinet pause the implementation of its decision to close Osborne Grove be paused, pending the options appraisal being available