Issue - meetings

The Board received a presentation from John Regan, the Director of Premier Care Limited, Halton Borough Council’s lead contracted domiciliary care agency, regarding domiciliary care provision in Halton.

Members were aware that one of the main drives over the past decade both locally and nationally had been to offer support to people in their own home for as long a period as was possible.  One of the most effective ways to do this had been through offering care and support to people in their own home through a domiciliary care agency.

It was noted that over the past 12 months Halton had undertaken the re-procurement of domiciliary care provision within the Borough which had led to there being one main provider, Premier Care, delivering provision where there had previously been 9 providers.  Although there was one main provider, the existing contract with Premier Care, along with 3 other incumbent providers, had been extended until 31 March 2018, to allow those agencies to work together to establish a robust sub-contracting arrangement and support and strengthen local market providers.

The presentation provided Members with details of how the current system of Domiciliary Care provision worked in Halton; an overview of implementation of the new contract arrangements; challenges being faced and how Premier Care and the Council were working together to maintain the delivery of high quality services.

Following the presentation the following responses were provided to Member’s queries:

·       The total number of care hours delivered was approximately 1500 in Runcorn and 2000 in Widnes;

·       The same carers visited the same clients on most occasions; however there could be instances where this was not always possible;

·       The Premier Care office was situated in Ashley House, Widnes;

·       An in-house recruitment officer was available in Ashley House and recent recruitment of staff had taken place;

·       The total number of staff TUPE’d was 81 and these staff received refresher training prior to starting their jobs; and

·       Training within the branch took place each week and all staff received an induction as part of the training.

RESOLVED:  That the Board note the report and presentation.