Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Adult Social Care Item 3

30 September 2005

Procurement of nurse call system for refurbishments of residential homes

Report by the Director of Adult Services

1

Summary

1.1

The following decisions are sought:

1. That approval be given to support Option 2, to proceed with the procurement of a wireless nurse call system for the seven joints sites.

2. To proceed with the extension of the procurement process/contract to provide a wireless nurse call system for the seven joint sites.

2

Reason(s)

2.1

This decision supports Aims 1 and 5 of the Corporate Strategy by maximising life opportunities and improving services.

3

Other options considered and rejected

3.1

To continue with two systems across all the joint sites.

4

Conflicts of interest declared by the decision-maker or other Executive Member consulted

4.1

None

5

Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee

5.1

None

6

Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent

6.1

Not applicable

Approved by:

..........................

Date:

.........................

Councillor Patricia Banks

Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Adult Social Care

30 September 2005

Procurement of nurse call system for refurbishment of residential homes

Report by the Director of Adult Services

How the conclusion in this report fits with the Corporate Strategy

This scheme will impact on the delivery of the following Corporate Aims

Aim 1 - maximising life opportunities

Aim 5 - improving services

1.

Summary

1.1

The Nursing Care Investment Strategy Programme Board has commissioned 10 nursing homes to be built in Hampshire, to provide 500 beds ,as part of this programme on the joint sites we are refurbishing seven of our existing Residential Care Homes.

1.2

The review process of the programme has identified that there is potential to integrate the Nurse Call system across both Residential and Nursing care on these sites. It is essential that this is considered now as the phasing of the refurbishment programme means we can integrate the installation to the works and reduce costs and disruption to resident care.

1.3

This solution will help staff provide the highest level of care and safety to vulnerable residents across Residential and Nursing care and will assist in meeting the requirements as prescribed by The Care Homes Regulations 2001 and the Care Standards Act 2000.

1.4

The well-being of the residents is paramount. In addition to conventional nurse call systems, there will be the potential to be able to monitor the well-being of residents so that any need for increasing care intervention can be recognised as early as possible.

1.5

The facilities provided by these alarms and monitors do not replace the provision of, or supervision by, qualified nursing staff.

2.

Nurse Call and Alarm Management

2.1

There are a variety of nurse call systems used across residential care. All of these meet the basic requirements for CSCI registration however in the newly refurbished joint sites it has been identified that there is the opportunity to install the same specification wireless system across both units.

2.2

The system that has been installed in the Nursing Homes is an integrated nurse call and resident monitoring system, for example so that one set of pagers or devices can be used for resident monitoring as well as nurse call. In all instances, alarms must be sent to a central location within the home as well as to staff, e.g. via pagers or mobile phones.

2.3

The majority of current residential care service users do not require activity monitoring. For those not requiring activity monitoring, the system includes wireless fixed devices throughout the home, that enable residents to manually alert staff e.g. using `Pear Push' devices and wall mounted devices. Fixed device locations will include bathrooms, bedrooms, lounges and other common areas such as assisted toilets and corridors.

3.

Options

3.1

Option 1

To continue with the two systems across all the joint sites.

In the short term this would be a minimum cost option but all the current residential call systems will need replacing over the next 3 years at a cost of per £14,000 per unit.

This option does not support integrated delivery of services across residential and Nursing care

No ability to use the resident monitoring devices to support residential care service users.

3.2

Option 2

To proceed with the extension of the procurement process/contract to provide a wireless nurse call system for the seven joint sites.

This can be achieved through the use of existing funding streams which are set out in section 4.

Allows existing `serviceable systems' to be refurbished from the seven sites and recycled into other units.

This option supports integrated delivery of services across Residential and Nursing care and allows for staff mobility within the Building.

Offers the ability to use the resident monitoring devices to support residential care service users.

Can be achieved through the extension of the original procurement process

4.

Financial Impact

The following funding streams to support Option 2 have been secured:-

2005/06

2006/07

Adults services capital programme

45,000

15,000

Residential and Nursing Care

50,525

33,525

Refurbishment costs for Core wiring

30,000

5,000

Total:

125,525

53,525

Nurse Call

2005/06

2006/07

Core Wiring

21,500

8,000

Basic System

60,375

28,875

Procure, Install, Manage, Train

36,000

13,500

Call Cancel Facility

7,650

3,150

Total:

£125,525

£53,525

Any revenue costs beyond 2006/7 will be managed within existing budgets.

2.

Impact Assessment

2.1

In compiling this report and developing the strategy, regard has been given to the County Councils' duties in relation to the Race Relation Amendment Act 2000 and Hampshire County Council's own race equality scheme.

3

Consultation with Local Members

3.1

None

Recommendation(s)

That:

1.

The Executive Member supports option 2, To proceed with the extension of the procurement process/control to provide a wireless nurse call system for the seven joint sites.