Issue - meetings

Questions Submitted Under Council Procedure Rule 10

Meeting: 22/02/2023 - Council (Item 48)

Questions Submitted Under Council Procedure Rule 10

Councillor Temperton to Councillor Birch, Executive Member for Adult Services, Health and Housing

 

The result of the Inspection by CQC of Heathlands Care Centre in August was ‘Inadequate’.

 

Can the Council be given an update on the situation there now?

 

 

Councillor Bidwell to Councillor Birch, Executive Member for Adult Services, Health and Housing  

 

Following the very concerning reports of Home Care visits being unofficially cut to five or six minutes instead of the allocated time, residents are anxious for assurance that this could not happen in Bracknell Forest.

 

Can you tell us how the period of time that the Carer actually spends with the resident and quality of provision allocated in the care packages financed by Bracknell Forest are monitored?

 

Minutes:

Councillor Temperton asked Councillor Birch, Executive Member for Adult Services, Health and Housing, the following published question:

 

“The result of the Inspection by CQC of Heathlands Care Centre in August was ‘Inadequate’.

 

Can the Council be given an update on the situation there now?”

 

In response, Councillor Birch said the following:

 

“It is disappointing that the CQC found that a number of areas remain below the expected standards and require further improvement.

 

The council and NHS professionals continue to work closely with partner agencies to support the provider to make required improvements.

 

Windsar Care has acknowledged the report and has taken steps to address key issues.

A new permanent registered manager started shortly before the inspection and has now been in post for three months.

 

Windsar Care have engaged a specialist, independent organisation to oversee the immediate  improvements required and to provide assurance and gather the evidence of the progress they are making in implementing the required improvements.

 

Windsar Care has been taking a range of actions to implement the improvements  needed, as identified in the CQC report and professionals have been working hard to support them with this.

 

Our priority remains our residents, particularly the most vulnerable and we are pleased that Windsar Care is engaging well with the council and Health partners to work through the issues to ensure people receive safe, effective and well-led care.

 

The CQC will undertake a further inspection of the service in the coming months to gain assurance that the required improvements have been embedded in the service.

The council is currently considering options regarding the future of dementia care at Heathlands and how this valuable and much needed service will be delivered in the future.”

 

In response to a supplementary question the Executive Member advised that the next CQC visit was to be considered a follow up inspection. At that point they were to continue to make the necessary recommendations and deal with the provider regarding any actions that may need to be taken.

 

 

Councillor Bidwell asked Councillor Birch, Executive Member for Adult Services, Health and Housing, the following published question:

 

Following the very concerning reports of Home Care visits being unofficially cut to five or six minutes instead of the allocated time, residents are anxious for assurance that this could not happen in Bracknell Forest.

Can you tell us how the period of time that the Carer actually spends with the resident and quality of provision allocated in the care packages financed by Bracknell Forest are monitored?

 

In response, Councillor Birch said the following:

 

“In April 2022 the Council mobilised a new Homecare Framework (FW) and established new contractual arrangements in the Homecare market. To be able to join the new FW, all providers are required, as a minimum to be rated Good or Outstanding by the CQC. This ensures at baseline level of quality assurance.

 

Through the FW, the Council has taken robust measures to ensure such practice does not occur within BF and has processes in place to ensure,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48


 

Contact Information

Democratic services

Email: committee@bracknell-forest.gov.uk