LaingBuisson were commissioned by local
government (LGA and ADASS) and worked with the Care Provider
Alliance (CPA), to estimate the additional financial pressures on
independent adult social care providers due to COVID-19. The
summary findings of the report were released to Local Authorities
early June; the additional cost to providers is estimated at
£6.6billion, with nearly two thirds of that cost relating to
PPE, representing the largest single financial pressure on
providers.
The government has advised public bodies via the PPN 02_2020
Supplier Relief due to COVID19, to help ensure supplier
sustainability through the COVID19 pandemic. This was further
enhanced by the ADASS/LGA note circulated 8th April 2020.
The Director of Adults, Health & Wellbeing DASS wrote to
providers 7th May setting out support available through the
Supplier Relief Scheme and confirming that PPE costs incurred were
within scope for reimbursement.
- The Adult Social Care sector is nationally recognised as a
vulnerable market.
- The providers range from those that are locally or regionally
based to multi-nationals but all providers applying through the
scheme operate locally and have a high percentage of staff employed
from within the borough.
- Care Homes are at the forefront of the epidemic and are facing
increased costs related to infection control, including the
extraordinary costs of PPE supplies.
- Most providers are heavily reliant on the Council for
income.
- Essential requirement to sustain providers to ensure care needs
of residents can be met once COVID19 is over.
The providers (as identified in the attached Decision Record) have
applied to the council for additional costs they have incurred as a
result of COVID19. In calculating the level of relief in relation
to the additional costs, the following principles have been
established:
- Available to all CQC registered Care Homes in Doncaster and
Council commissioned Domiciliary Care providers, including
Supported Living and Extra Care
- Support relates to actual expenditure incurred (evidenced by
invoices/receipts) and therefore provides no basis for an ongoing
fee increase
- PPE costs are outside the scope of costs which providers would be
expected to incur as part of their normal business continuity plans
and will not provide an ongoing business benefit beyond COVID
- The extent of additional workforce costs is beyond that which a
provider would be expected to incur as part of their normal
business continuity plans
- Agency costs for COVID related sick (ensuring that these costs
are net of any salary cost savings e.g. if absent staff have not
been paid in full, e full cost of agency should not be
claimable)
- SSP costs (where they cannot be recovered from Government and
where the absence was covered by additional hours/agency)
- The relief must be proportionate and sense checked – i.e.
the usage reflects the operational requirements of the
provider
- The relief relates to additional costs incurred and does not
equate to compensation for lost profit (in line with
PPN02_2020).
Relief covers the period March – 14th May 2020 for
domiciliary care, supported living and extra care housing providers
on the basis that the discretionary element of the Infection
Control Fund PC funding can cover PPE costs in June.
Decision type: Non-key
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Notice of proposed decision first published: 31/03/2021
Decision due: 16 Jul 2020 by Director of Adults, Health and Well-Being, Director of Corporate Resources
Contact: Holly Wilson Email: holly.wilson@doncaster.gov.uk.