Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Adult Services

Forward Plan Ref: 2011/212

Contact: Ann Nursey, Lead Commissioner Learning Disability Services Tel: (01865) 323669

Report by Director for Social & Community Services (CA11).

Ridgeway Partnership (Oxfordshire Learning Disability NHS Trust) is commissioned by Oxfordshire County Council to provide both social care and specialist health services to people with learning disabilities in Oxfordshire. The total contract value is £20m per annum and they are the largest learning disability service provider in Oxfordshire.

In line with the Department of Health's policy that all NHS Trusts have to become Foundation Trusts, or become part of an existing Foundation Trust by 2014, the Strategic Health Authority is currently leading a process through which existing Foundation Trusts are bidding to acquire Ridgeway Partnership. As the main commissioner of Ridgeway's services, the Oxfordshire Lead Commissioner is a member of the project board.

On 5th July 2011 the cabinet member for adult social care, through a delegated decision,   agreed to include the services purchased from Ridgeway Partnership by Oxfordshire County Council in the NHS merger/acquisitions process, and requested that the recommendation to appoint a preferred provider to acquire Ridgeway Partnership NHS Trust be brought to cabinet for approval in early 2012. This report outlines the process so far and seeks approval of progress, and of the request for the final approval of the recommended preferred bidder to be delegated to the cabinet member for adult services.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to

(a)              confirm that, on the basis of the processes so far,  the Council is willing to continue with the services it purchases from Ridgeway Partnership being included as part of the business to be acquired; and

(b)              request that the final approval to proceed with the transfer of the services the Council purchases to the preferred bidder be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Adult Services.

Cabinet considered a report that outlined the process and progress to date on a decision to include the services purchased from Ridgeway Partnership by Oxfordshire County Council in the NHS merger/acquisitions process and seeking confirmation of its intention to continue to include the services purchased by the Council in the acquisitions process.

Councillor Zoe Patrick, Leader of the Opposition acknowledged that the Council could not do much but was pleased that it was included in the Commissioning process. She was acutely aware of the vulnerable nature of the clients of the service and that often they were not able to speak for themselves. Going forward good monitoring was essential. She asked that in view of the risk set out in paragraph 16, the final decision be considered jointly with the Cabinet Member for Finance & Property.

The Cabinet Member for Adult Services in moving the recommendations referred to the robust process outlined in the report and that he was happy to accept the suggestion from Councillor Patrick about the final decision.

RESOLVED:                        to:

(a)       to confirm that, on the basis of the processes so far,  the Council is willing to continue with the services it purchases from Ridgeway Partnership being included as part of the business to be acquired; and

(b)       that the final approval to proceed with the transfer of the services the Council purchases to the preferred bidder be delegated to the Cabinet Members for Adult Services and Finance & Property.