Cabinet will consider proposals to alter the existing residential care provision in Ferndale and Hawthorn to better align to current demand for residential care, as part of an ongoing significant investment programme to modernise residential care in Rhondda Cynon Taf.
A Cabinet report on Thursday, September 19, provides an update on the occupancy of existing residential care beds and outlines the progress of ongoing projects to invest in modern care facilities, including the development of a brand-new dementia care facility in Ferndale.
In response to falling demand for traditional ‘care homes’, with more than a third of available beds in the Council’s care homes currently being vacant, the report seeks Cabinet approval to consult upon decommissioning Cae Glas and the current Ferndale House Care Homes. Residents are increasingly wanting to retain their independence in their own homes or within an independent living complex as they grow older.
The report reaffirms the Council’s commitment to invest in new and modern care accommodation in the Rhondda Fach but recommends that this is focused on dementia care, where there is an increasing need. As a result, the proposed Extra Care provision as part of this development would not be pursued.
Work is already underway to prepare the ‘Chubb’ factory site in Ferndale site for development, with designs drawn up and initial ground testing – required before a main construction scheme can begin (subject to planning permission).
Thursday’s Cabinet report recognises that Ferndale House Care Home doesn’t meet modern standards required to provide continuing high level and quality care accommodation. It has had low resident numbers over a prolonged period and is therefore no longer financially sustainable. It recommends an eight-week consultation with residents, their families, staff and other stakeholders in relation to a proposal to permanently decommission the home once suitable alternative accommodation is found for its residents. It notes that all residents would have the opportunity to move back to the brand-new care home in Ferndale when it opens, subject to their assessed needs and wishes at that point in time.
The report also puts forward a proposal relating to Cae Glas Care Home in Hawthorn, which has not reached its full capacity and is not operating in a financially sustainable way. The report recommends an eight-week consultation with residents, their families, staff and other stakeholders in relation to a proposal to permanently decommission the home once suitable alternative accommodation is found for its residents.
If agreed, feedback from the consultation processes for the respective proposals for Ferndale House Care Home and Cae Glas Care Home would be collated and reported to Cabinet for their consideration as part of any final determination.
Councillor Gareth Caple, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, said: “The Council has a responsibility to ensure its adult care services are sufficient, of good quality, and are sustainable. We must therefore continually review the provision to ensure our care and support offer continues to meet older people’s needs, against a backdrop of changing demand and significant financial challenges in the public sector. Right now, more than a third of the available residential care beds in Council care homes are vacant, and it cannot be left to stay that way – or decline even further.
“Demand is moving away from traditional ‘care homes’ towards respite care, complex care and independent living with support – and our commitment to modernise our offer reflects this. We’ve delivered popular Extra Care housing in Aberaman and Graig, with a third scheme being built in Porth. This is on top of an agreed £60m investment which is already progressing to provide further Extra Care and residential dementia beds in Ferndale and Mountain Ash, and a new accommodation dedicated for people with learning disabilities in adulthood, in Church Village.
“On Thursday, Cabinet could agree to alter the proposed scheme for Ferndale to a brand-new residential dementia care home, following a recommendation by officers working with our housing partner. It is important to note that the Council remains absolutely committed to developing new accommodation in the Rhondda Fach. Importantly, progress has been made by appointing a design partner and carrying out initial ground testing at the identified former ‘Chubb’ factory site.
“Officers have also recommended important proposals relating to the existing Council care homes in Ferndale and Hawthorn – in response to changing demand, and in the interest of financial sustainability. We know that considering service changes of this nature is a very difficult and sensitive undertaking. If Members agree to initiate a consultation on the changes, we will go into ‘listening mode’ to ensure service users, their families, staff and stakeholders can fully have their say, to inform a final decision in the future.”
Support would be given to residents and their families to fully engage with the consultation process and understand the implications of the potential changes for them – while staff and key stakeholders would also be engaged. In relation to staff positions potentially being impacted by the proposals, the Council will fully explore opportunities for staff redeployment under our established processes.
By reducing the level of vacant beds across the Council’s Adult Residential accommodation, the proposed changes could generate an estimated revenue saving of around £2m in a full year, while still providing care beds that meet demands.
Posted on 12/09/2024