Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Decision Report :

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1) Summary of Decision Area:

1.1. This report seeks approval to a proposed capital investment strategy for Copper Beeches and Cherry Orchard older persons homes in Andover.

2) Issues Covered in Report:

2.1. The proposed building works to be undertaken at both Copper Beeches and Cherry Orchard.

2.2. The proposed strategy to transfer both residents and staff.

3) Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

3.1. It be a recommendation to the Executive Member Policy and Resources that the design project appraisal for improvement works at Copper Beeches and Cherry Orchard older person homes, Andover, be approved.

MAIN REPORT

1 Contextual Information:

1.1 A Property Matrix group (consisting of Property and Adult Services staff) was set up in 2008. The group's remit was to consider all the Adult Services in-house older persons and nursing homes in terms of the quality of the accommodation, the level of fire precaution standards and suitability for service delivery.

1.2 A high priority is to undertake outstanding fire works where necessary to achieve benchmark standard. Both Copper Beeches and Cherry Orchard have been assessed as requiring additional structural fire precaution works.

1.3 There is an existing commitment to the principle of including sprinkler systems in older persons homes. To undertake this level of work requires a significant reduction in occupancy levels and it is logical to carry out all necessary maintenance and improvement works at the same time in order to avoid future disruption to residents.

1.4 The findings of the Matrix Group were that the priorities for 2009/10 should be the delivery of major improvements at Copper Beeches and associated enabling works to Cherry Orchard to facilitate the transfer of dementia care residents. Both homes are in Andover.

1.5 There is a high and increasing demand for residential dementia care in the Andover area as in other areas of Hampshire. It is not anticipated that this level of need can be met by the independent sector. There are 7 homes in the Andover area, 3 of which are run by the County Council. The total number of beds available are 363, of which 213 are in the independent sector. The services provided at Cooper Beeches home and day centre will be a key element of the future of Older Persons Mental Health services in the Andover area.

1.6 There are currently vacancies at Cherry Orchard, and in order to transfer residents from Copper Beeches, the home will have to be dual registered for both mentally and physically frail residents with CSCI. This will provide future flexibility of care provision to meet the needs of the area.

2 Key Issues:

The proposed improvement works to Copper Beeches consist of:

- Structural fire precaution improvements including the construction of a new fire escape enclosure.

- Installation of a new sprinkler system including a new external storage tank and all distribution pipe work, heads, controls etc.

- Upgrading/replacement of mechanical heating installation including new boilers, pipe work and controls, and provision of a new gas supply to the boilers.

- Overhaul/replacement of hot and cold water distribution pipe work and controls.

- Replacement of remaining obsolete electrical distribution switchgear, and replacement of light fittings where ceiling are affected by works.

- Replacement of existing metal windows, doors and screens.

- External and internal decoration, plus renewal of ceilings and floor finishes.

- Refurbishment and reconfiguration of bathrooms, WC's and sluice rooms.

- Alterations to form enlarged bedrooms for high dependency needs.

- Refurbishment and reconfiguration to create additional group living environments.

- General improvements and alterations to assist the operation of the home and provision of dementia care, including work to the entrance area.

2.1 Following the completion of the works, and as a consequence of the improvements, the number of beds at Copper Beeches would reduce from 41 to 36.

2.2 It is anticipated that the proposed works at Copper Beeches would commence May/June 2009, and last approximately 45 weeks.

2.3 The phasing options for the building works at Copper Beeches have been considered and it is felt that the most appropriate option is to reduce the home to 8/9 residents and undertake the works in the shortest possible time in two phases. A consultation strategy is now being developed for the transfer of the necessary number of residents.

2.4 The move process will need to be undertaken sensitively involving residents, their family members and carers and will include familiarisation visits supported by staff, and the transfer of residents would be phased over a period of time. In addition to Cherry Orchard which is less than 1 mile away, there are currently a number of vacancies in the Winchester area which are also being considered for those who have family members living in the area.

2.5 The enabling work at Cherry Orchard to facilitate the transfer of residents from Copper Beeches includes:

Structural fire precaution improvements, including the construction of a new fire escape enclosure

Alterations to facilitate the provision of a dementia care wing

2.6 Staff working at Copper Beeches would have the opportunity to continue working in the home or at the day centre which will remain operational during the proposed building work, or to transfer with the residents to Cherry Orchard or work at other homes in the area.

2.7 The benefits of staff transferring to Cherry Orchard would be that not only will the residents from Copper Beeches be cared for by familiar staff who are skilled in dementia care, but also that the staff will continue to work in the Andover area.

3 Funding:

3.1 Capital

3.2 Furniture and Equipment will be purchased from the Adult Services capital programme block allocation for 2009/10.

3.3 Whilst the work at Copper Beeches is being undertaken there will be a loss of income due to the reduced number of beds available, offset by the reduced expenditure, this will result in an approximate overall increase in net current expenditure of £186,000.

4 Outline of Options:

4.1 Option 1:

Do nothing.

4.2 Option 2:

Undertake improvements and fire precaution works at Copper Beeches only.

4.3 Option 3:

Undertake improvements and fire precaution works at Copper Beeches and enabling works and fire precaution works at Cherry Orchard.

5. Option Analysis / Comparison:

5.1 Option 1 - this is not seen as a viable option as additional fire precaution works have been identified at both Copper Beeches and Cherry Orchard.

5.2 Option 2 - this is not possible, unless arrangements are made to transfer the existing dementia care residents to suitable alternative accommodation in the neighbouring area.

5.3 Option 3 - this would ensure that both Copper Beeches is brought up to benchmark fire precaution standards, including the installation of a sprinkler system, that the provision of high quality dementia care services is maintained, and that at Cherry Orchard outstanding structural fire precautions works are undertaken together with essential works to accommodate the transfer of dementia care residents from Copper Beeches. This is the preferred option.

6. Conclusions:

6.1 This report reflects the County Council's commitment to improve both the level of fire precautions in its existing homes for older people together with the provision of an environment and facilities to reflect the needs of current and future residents as outlined in the report "Setting Future Directions for Older Persons Services" approved by the Executive Member Adult Social Care 28 July 2006; and proposes related works in the existing homes in Andover as the next phase of that programme.

7. Recommendations:

7.1 Please see Executive Summary for recommendations.

CORPORATE OR LEGAL INFORMATION:

RISK & COMBINED IMPACT ASSESSMENTS:

1. Equalities Impact Assessment:

a) An equalities impact assessment has been undertaken for the in-house older persons homes.

b) Included within the works at Copper Beeches are a number of high dependency beds and items of equipment which will improve services for the residents both physically and mentally frail.

2. Impact on Crime and Disorder:

a) The County Council has a legal obligation under Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 to consider the impact of all the decisions it makes on the prevention of crime. The proposals in this report will improve the security of these buildings.

3. Climate Change:

How does what is being proposed impact on our carbon footprint / energy consumption?

The following sustainable features are included in the proposed works at Copper Beeches:

· Replacement of the existing single-glazed metal windows with new double-glazed UPVC units

· The thermal insulation to the roof void is to be upgraded

· Daylight-linked lighting controls to the new artificial lighting

· New gas-fired boilers to replace existing oil-fired equipment

4. Fire Risk Assessment

In consultation with the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, a fire risk

assessment has concluded that a sprinkler system should be installed at Copper Beeches older persons home.