Press Release
Response to press release issues by the Commission for Social Care Inspection on 23 March 2007
23 March 2007
Background
Since the closure of Bromham Hospital in 1997, the Trust (BLPT) and its predecessor organisations have provided a range of care services for people who have a learning disability. These services have been registered with CSCI since 2003 and have been subject to regular and rigorous inspections by CSCI since then.
The model of residential services provided by BLPT has not been reviewed or re-tendered since the closure of Bromham Hospital ten years ago and funding has been carried forward year on year based on the historic levels. This funding level has not been sufficient to meet the required service standards.
Nevertheless, until June 2006, seventeen out of the nineteen registered BLPT homes and services received an ‘adequate’ or ‘good’ rating by CSCI and were deemed to be ‘low risk’.
The current position
In June 2006 after the publication of the Cornwall Report, CSCI changed the inspection regime, following which the ratings fell substantially. As a result, we have been working closely with local CSCI inspectors over the past six months to improve services and meet the standards required.
Many of the specific issues that CSCI have highlighted in their recent press release have already been addressed and it is pleasing to note that CSCI acknowledges the improvements made by the Trust.
Below we list some of these improvements.
• The Trust has agreed with local PCTs to increase staffing levels in every service to meet CSCI requirements at a cost of over £1 million from April 2007/08. This includes funding to support residents in accessing social and recreational activities.
• In the meantime, BLPT has provided substantial funding (over £200,000) for service improvements this year.
o Managers working patterns have been improved allowing them to concentrate on improving quality, supervising staff and changing culture in their teams.
o Increased staffing levels in every community home
o A leadership programme has been introduced for home managers and their deputies.
o Services have been reorganised to ensure that quality monitoring is integral to the management of care home staff.
o A review of medication practice has taken place and guidelines have been modified.
o A revised performance management framework has been introduced that covers the areas of concern raised by CSCI.
o New service contracts have been introduced that are user friendly.
o A new assessment framework has been established which focuses on the individual.
• Every home has an improvement plan based on their CSCI inspection report.
• Additional funding for assessment and care management in the local authorities is also being made available by the PCTs and LAs to enable a review and retendering exercise.
• The Trust has an extensive training plan to support staff in meeting all the general and specific care needs of residents.
• The care homes referred to as having a poor physical condition by CSCI are not owned by the Trust but by a local housing association. The housing association has now agreed funding with the PCTs to undertake the necessary improvements.
The longer term
In light of the historic under funding and the likely strategic direction of residential and domiciliary care for people who have a learning disability in the NHS, the Trust’s Board took the decision on 31 January 2007 not to continue to provide these services. Accordingly, the Trust served formal notice to the PCTs that it would be ceasing to provide these services after 31 August 2007.
We know that commissioners are currently working on a re-provision and re-tendering strategy. As yet, we do not know the exact timetable, but BLPT will not be providing the service after 31 August 2007. We would only consider extending this deadline if we are asked to do so in the interests of the residents by the local commissioners as part of their planning AND if they and we have the support of CSCI to do so.
Meanwhile, the Trust is focused on the needs and welfare of our residents and we will continue to work with commissioners, residents, their advocates, their families, and CSCI to improve standards of care whilst we run these services.
Paul Mullin, Chief Executive of BLPT commented, “We have been working closely with CSCI since the introduction of the new inspection regime to improve care services. As an organisation we are focussed on the wellbeing of our residents and clients and welcome all feedback from inspections that has a positive impact on their lives. The funding that we are making available to increase staffing levels and extend staff training demonstrates our commitment to provide the best service we can for people who have a learning difficulty in Bedfordshire”.
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