Decision details

Eden Lodge and Wickett Hern are both purpose built, CCQ registered, 24/7 short break buildings owned by Doncaster Council.
Each unit has 9 bedrooms, 18 in total. In each unit there are 4 on the ground floor wheel chair accessible and 5 bedrooms upstairs. Both units will accommodate emergency admissions for those people who experience crises as a result of family or personal issues or who are transitioning into community supported living. Occupancy fluctuates pending on the time of year and the availability of ground floor rooms. Ground floor rooms are sought after and are generally pre booked in advance reducing the offer of emergency respite for people who have complex needs.
The demand for downstairs beds has increased. Snap shot of occupancy comparisons between 2017 and 2018 are set out in more detail in the attached Officer Decision Record.
As a result of limited availability of downstairs respite rooms.
The proposal is to install a lift (one off cost) into Eden Lodge providing 5 rooms that will accommodate people with mobility issues and are at risk of using stairs.
The lift installation would:
- Reduce the need to commission out of area and expensive respite places. (Based on the lowest £257 per night rate from alternative respite services compared to our cost £140 per night. One of the new Eden Lodge accessible rooms x 365 days can save £42,705 per annum per person). This could save the Council circa £213,000 per annum if the 5 rooms were in use.
- Provide consistency of care in Doncaster
- Reduce carer stress and uncertainty for people requiring short stay breaks.
- Support people and their carers through their life changes.
It is recommended the lift be installed before April 2019 due to occupancy levels rising from April. An early installation would avoid disruption to service delivery.
RDASH have approached Doncaster Short Stay services to accommodate people whose respite services cease end of February 2019.

To approve the Capital Bid Application of £97,153.50 to install a Lift at Eden Lodge Short Stay Unit for Adults with Complex Needs plus a wet room costing circa £9,000.

Option 1 - Identify alternative accessible accommodation to meet the needs of respite services.
Option 2 - Reduce the need for respite in house services by commissioning other alternatives.
Alternative suitable buildings have not been identified in Doncaster.
Both options would increase costs of 24/7 short stay provision for the Council.
The recommended lift installation option would:-
- Reduce the need to commission out of the Doncaster area.
- Increase occupancy making Eden Lodge cost effective.
- Deliver efficiencies for the Council.
- Provide consistency of care.
- Provide a smooth transition between home and service.
- Prepare people and their carers for future life changes.
- Reduce emergency placements.
The Capital bid for the Lift has been agreed from April 2019. We request the installation is brought forward asap. The request for early installations is due to occupancy levels rising from April. An early installation would avoid disruption to service delivery.
RDaSH have approached Doncaster Short Stay services to accommodate people current whose current respite services end late February 2019. Early installation of a lift would support new clients entering the service instead of going to out of area placements which are far more costly.
The work is due to be carried out by Doncaster Council Property Management Services and will take approx. 6 weeks.