Issue - meetings

To consider the outcomes of the consultation on the future of Bulmer House Day Services in Petersfield, and Masters House Day Service in Romsey, prior to the decision of the Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Health on 13 March.

The Director of Adults’ Health and Care spoke to the report and presentation, which set out the outcomes of the consultation on the future of Bulmer House Day Services in Petersfield and Masters House Day Services in Romsey (see Item 6 in the Minute Book).

The Director provided an overview of the two separate day services, noting their utilisation both prior to, and following the conclusion of, the consultation.  The two services under consideration were traditional in their nature, and overall interest in this type of service had declined across the County, with service users choosing more personalised options that meet their needs at the times that suited them and their carers.  Day opportunities should also enable independence and choice, and there were a range of alternatives in the vicinity of the two locations which would better meet the needs of service users, and meet these aims.

Currently 19 service users attend the locations in Petersfield and Romsey.  A total of 12 staff would be affected by any decision the Executive Member may take.  The cost of providing services, especially those that are underutilised, was significant, owing to the fixed cost of the building, staff and resources.  The Department had a role to play in ensuring that day services are sustainable in future, and to ensure this felt that blending different forms of support from a range of public sector, voluntary and community providers was most appropriate.  It was expected that after re-provision approximately £177k would be saved annually.   This had been calculated on the basis of service users’ needs being supported at an equivalent or higher level than they were currently.

The consultation had been robust, taking place over a period of eight weeks and closing in early January 2018.  Both online and paper-based physical surveys were made available to service users, their families and carers, as well as to the general public.  The Department had supported consultation events in Romsey and Petersfield, where officers were available to talk through the proposals and alternative options, and listen to feedback.  The Department had ensured that there was designated 1-2-1 social work resource available to help identify alternatives for service users and their carers, and this would be available throughout the implementation period if the recommendations were agreed.  In tandem, the Department had held a staff consultation for the 12 individuals affected.

The outcome of the consultation showed clear opposition to the proposed closures, with 53 out of the 65 responses answering in this way.  A number of issues had been raised through the consultation which the Director had taken close account of, and his primary concern remained assuring service users and their carers that their ongoing needs would be met, but in an alternative way.  The equalities impact of the proposed closures had also been measured, and this was detailed in the main report.

All staff employed within the two day services had been offered redeployment.  Some had expressed a wish to take the opportunity to retire or leave Hampshire  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56