Agenda item

Report of Strategic Commissioning Manager

Clare Gilbert, Commissioning Manager, presented the report of the Corporate Director for Children and Adults, highlighting the following points:

(a)  There are a number of issues with the current provision at Hucknall House, including physical issues with the building, and the service is not set up to meet future needs of young people who may need such services in future.

(b)  The cost per night can be reduced by between 1/3 and 2/3 if the Hucknall House service is decommissioned and similar services are provided within the community.

(c)  The individuals who currently use Hucknall House have very high levels of need, and there are not currently many suitable alternatives for them.

(d)  The consultation exercise has identified the strong opposition voiced by most carers of  service users towards the proposed closure.  It is recognised that carers highly value the current service and that moving to a new service will be very difficult for many of the current users of the service. Although disruption will be unavoidable, Nottingham City Council will be working with them to try and minimise disruption, address various issues, and ensure their needs are met.

(e)  If the service was continued with, it would require a large initial investment to bring it up to standard, and continual ongoing investment.

(f)  One years notice is required, during which time Nottingham City Council will work with the individual families to find alternative provision. A report on the re-commissioned service will follow at a suitable future meeting of Executive Board Commissioning Sub-Committee.

Following queries from Members of the Sub-Committee, the following additional information was provided:

(g)  A recently published Care Quality Commission Report commented that “We saw the environment was not comfortable, but institutional in appearance, which did not promote people’s wellbeing when accessing a short stay service.” In light of the overwhelming strength of feeling from service users and their families, it has proved difficult to persuade carers and parents that this is the right course of action to provide the most suitable service.

(h)  The one year notice period is a recommendation nationwide for NHS contracts, it is not a locally agreed notice period. However, given the high levels of need of some current service users, it may take a long time to work with them to find suitable alternatives. Nottingham City Council are keen to have parent and carer involvement during the re-procurement process.

RESOLVED to:

(1)  decommission the Hucknall House Short Breaks Service;

(2)  note that suitable alternative arrangements for respite will be found for all of the current users of the Hucknall House service, and that this will be reported to a future meeting of the Executive Board Commissioning Sub-Committee.

Reasons for Decision

Following a review of respite provision it was identified that Hucknall House does not provide good value for money, does not meet the needs of future citizens and that alternative provision could be provided at a reduced cost. The Council are required to provide one year’s notice to the Healthcare Trust of the intention to cease the contract.

Other Options Considered.

(1)  Do Nothing. Maintain the current service indefinitely. This would enable continued and valued provision for the citizens and families currently utilising the service. However, given the need to upgrade the building, this would involve significantly increased investment for a service that is substantially more costly than market equivalents. For this reason, this option was rejected.

(2)  Develop and increase the service. This would secure additional capacity and enable the service to be developed to meet future need. As above, this option is not economical as it would require very significant investment by the City Council and a large ongoing financial commitment. For this reason, this option was rejected.