Archived decisions

REPORT OF THE

EXECUTIVE MEMBER

ADULT SOCIAL CARE

PART II

CAPITAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY - INVESTMENT AT COPPER BEECHES AND CHERRY ORCHARD HOMES FOR OLDER PEOPLE, ANDOVER

The Executive Member for Adult Social Care has approved the design project appraisal for improvement works at Copper Beeches and Cherry Orchard older person homes, Andover.

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. 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. There is a high and increasing demand for residential dementia care in the Andover area as in other areas of Hampshire and the level of need is such that the independent sector alone is unlikely to be able to meet the requirement.

Phased construction work, which it is anticipated will take approximately 45 weeks will enable the transfer between homes of residents in a sensitive and supported manner while ensuring long term improvements to both homes. The distance between homes is less than 1 mile, therefore providing an opportunity for staff to transfer with residents while the construction and refurbishment process is underway. 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.

The move process will be undertaken sensitively involving residents, their family members and carers and will include familiarisation visits supported by staff. To make the transition as smooth as possible, the transfer of residents will be phased over a period of time. 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.

The report and full details of the decision taken by the Executive Member may be accessed at /decisions/decisions-docs/090327-ascexc-R0320082208

FELICITY HINDSON, MBE

Executive Member for Adult Social Care