Contact: Claire Foreman ext: 7127

1.0 Commissioning Strategy Action Plan 2003 - 2006

1.1 This Action Plan sets out the 6 key objectives of the Social Services Department with respect to its services for older people.

1.2 It details the priority actions and expected outcomes which will be needed over the next 3 years to meet the objectives.

1.3 Most importantly, it has been developed to include performance measures and the resources that will be used to monitor and deliver the necessary actions.

1.4 It is a working tool for all Service Managers to inform their priorities for local commissioning and service development.

1.5 As a working tool, it is expected that it will be reviewed and updated at least bi-annually, in line with statutory and corporate performance monitoring such as the Department of Health / Social Services Inspectorate Delivery and Improvement Statement and the corporate service planning framework.

1.6 It will also be used in local health delivery planning processes in partnership with each PCT. The aim is to develop joint performance measures where applicable and concurrent financial planning arrangements. This will help ensure that joint service developments and performance improvements are sustainable beyond the in-year time-frame.

1.7 There is an ongoing process of consultation on this action plan across our partner agencies, most notably with the National Service Framework (Older People) Local Implementation Teams in each PCT area. These groups include representatives from a range of agencies involved in delivering services to older people.

2.0 Key Objectives and Targets

2.1 The key objectives setting the framework for actions are as follows:

2.1.1 To promote the independence of older people by enabling them to remain in their own homes wherever possible;

2.1.2 To work with partner agencies to deliver standards and targets in the National Service framework for Older People and NHS plan;

2.1.3 To refocus provision of long term residential and nursing care in line with the recommendations of the Best Value Review;

2.1.4 Improve performance management and monitoring of service delivery including the quality of services;

2.1.5 To continue to manage budgets effectively, ensuring investment and disinvestment decisions are consistent with policy intentions;

2.1.6 To develop the capacity of the workforce to deliver effective high quality services to Older People.

2.2 The key targets are:

2.2.1 To improve performance on intensive home care, which is currently measured by the national C28 PAF indicator, from 6.5 (households receiving intensive home care per 1,000 population aged 65 or over) in 02/03, to 18 in 04/05 (PSA Target).

2.2.2 To continue to achieve comparatively low rates of admissions to residential and nursing home care as measure by the PAF Indicator, C26, and remain within the highest group of performers nationally.

2.2.3 To improve the number of older people helped to live at home and the C32 PAF Indicator, from 85 currently to a target of 100 per 1,000 population aged 65 or over.

2.2.4 To carry on reducing the number of delayed transfers of care from acute hospital beds for those patients waiting for social care packages, with the aspiration to get as close to zero waits as possible.

2.3 Key Achievements to date:

2.3.1 There has been an improvement in the number of older people receiving intensive packages of care at home, and the indicator value has moved up to over 7.5. There has also been a reduction in the number of delayed transfers of care from over 100 social care waits in April to below 60 at the beginning of August.

2.3.2 Plans are being implemented for the development of rapid response home care services which will complement intermediate care schemes established within each PCT area.

2.3.3 Work is now underway on the corporate priorities for older people as well as the Best Value Review of support to older people at home. This work will contribute towards the development of a prevention strategy for older people across the County Council area and help determine ways of measuring more broadly the quality of life for older people.

3.0 Recommendations

3.1 The Committee are asked to note the Departments Commissioning Strategy Action Plan for Older People (03-06) which will be subject to regular monitoring and review.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - Background Documents

The Following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB the list excludes:

1. Published works

2. Documents which disclose exempt of confidential information as defined in the Act.