Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Adult Social Care

Forward Plan Ref: 2024/346

Contact: Ian Bottomley, Lead Commissioner – Age Well Support (Ian.Bottomley@oxfordshire.gov.uk)

Report by Director of Adult Social Care (CA8).

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to

(a)            Note the history of step-down bed provision in Oxfordshire and to endorse the Home First Discharge to Assess model of care that has been implemented countywide since January 2024

(b)            Note the impact of Home First Discharge to Assess for users, hospital flow and on business efficiency across the County and in the South Oxfordshire area

(c)             Agree that the former Chiltern Court beds are not reinstated for the reasons set out in the paper

(d)            Note the decision of the Secretary of State for Heath not to “call in” the decision to close the Chiltern Court beds

(e)            Note the engagement that has taken place with the public and stakeholders during 2024

(f)              Endorse ongoing engagement with Oxfordshire residents around out of hospital care

Recommendations approved.

Cabinet had before it a report which outlined a response to the Motion on Henley Short Stay Hub Beds agreed by the Council on 5 November 2024 and the questions subsequently raised by Councillor Gawrysiak addressed to Cabinet set out in  Annexes 1 and 2 to the report. It sets out the background to the decisions made in 2023 and the actions taken subsequently to address the concerns raised in the Motion.

Councillor Stefan Gawrysiak addressed the Cabinet, expressing gratitude for the work by officers in preparing the report. He emphasised the importance of geographically spread beds for those who were not able go home after hospital discharge and disagreed with the officers’ recommendation not to reinstate the beds. Councillor Gawrysiak expressed concern about the lack of public engagement and consultation with patient groups and GPs on this matter. He presented responses to Freedom of Information (FOI) requests indicating that the beds were NHS funded, contradicting the report's claim that they were not. He urged for a review of the contracts to consider a geographical spread of beds and hoped for the reinstatement of beds in Henley.

Councillor Tim Bearder, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, presented the report. He acknowledging the serious concerns that had been raised by and Councillor Gawrysiak and clarified that the beds were funded by both the County Council and the NHS, and confirmed that the Secretary of State did not require a consultation on the matter.

Councillor Bearder emphasised the financial and health benefits of the discharge to assess model detailed in the report, which allowed patients to recover better at home.

During discussion, members noted the history of step-down bed provision in Oxfordshire, endorsed the home first discharge to assess model.

RESOLVED to:-

a)    Note the history of step-down bed provision in Oxfordshire and to endorse the Home First Discharge to Assess model of care that has been implemented countywide since January 2024

b)    Note the impact of Home First Discharge to Assess for users, hospital flow and on business efficiency across the County and in the South Oxfordshire area

c) Agree that the former Chiltern Court beds are not reinstated for the reasons set out in the paper

d) Note the decision of the Secretary of State for Heath not to “call in” the decision to close the Chiltern Court beds

e)  Note the engagement that has taken place with the public and stakeholders during 2024

(f)              Endorse ongoing engagement with Oxfordshire residents around out of hospital care