Decision details

AHWB.048.2019 - Home from Hospital Service

Decision Maker: Director of Adults, Health and Well-Being

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: No

Purpose:

This ODR is in line with the following Adults Health and Wellbeing Commissioning 2018/19 Cabinet Report (27 March 2018) approved recommendations:

• To approve the Commissioning Procurement Plan for 2018/19 including the proposals and activity contained in this report.
• Delegation of authority to agree and sign off commissioning recommendations, to the Director of People, or nominated deputy, as the work plan is progressed.
• Delegation of award of contracts to the Director of People in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care.
Background

1. Doncaster Council (Adults Health and Wellbeing) and Doncaster Clinical Commissioning Group jointly commissioned a Home from Hospital service. The contract was awarded to Age UK Doncaster for 2 years with the option to extend for 1 year. The contract commenced on 1st April 2019.

2. The primary aims of the service are to:

• support planned discharges from hospital
• reduce re-admissions into hospital
• prevent premature admission to residential care
• Deliver a flexible person-centred service and support carers.

3. Quarterly contract review meetings take place with Age UK and the service is working well and is demonstrating added value:

• It offers timely intervention including ‘Ready for Home Support’ to aid discharge, and has proven to reduce re-admissions. Positive relationships have developed with referrers (e.g. Hospital Ward) with regular discussion as to appropriate discharge options. On average the Service receives 360 referrals per year. The ward contacts Age UK Home from Hospital Service, who will contact the service user on the same day and support a safe discharge to ensure the length of hospital stay is no longer than it needs to be.

• Adult Social Care Outcomes Framework (ASCOF) indicators have consistently exceeded national and contractual targets. Latest performance for ASCOF 2b (proportion of older people supported to remain at home 91 days after discharge from hospital) shows the service achieved 100%, above the 81% national target.
• Client feedback has highly rated the Service over the past 5 years. 95% of clients said the service was useful and 100% of clients said they would use the service again.
• A person centred approach is taken to support increased independence post-discharge. Qualitative feedback from service users showed 47% said the best of the service was ‘getting their independence back’.

4. The long-term strategy for Intermediate Care is still being determined and agreed, however the type of service offered by Age UK Doncaster provides invaluable support in aiding people to return to and remain at home. This service is likely to be a key component either in its current form or re-designed.

5. The Better Care Fund (BCF) Business Case to fund the service at £100K per annum (£71.5K Better Care Funding, £28.5K General Fund Revenue Funding) was approved by Joint Commissioning Operational Group (JCOG) at the meeting on 25.09.18.

Decision:

To seek retrospective approval to award a contract following an EU compliant tender exercise for a period of 2 years with the option to extend for 12 months, for the provision of a Home from Hospital Service.

Alternative options considered:

There are no alternative options for consideration

Publication date: 13/11/2019

Date of decision: 10/10/2019

Accompanying Documents: