West Sussex County Council’s Cabinet has approved proposals that will enable two adult social care services in the county to be provided more effectively and help manage growing demand.
Cabinet members took the decisions as part of the county council’s priority commitment to support people to live independently for longer, minimising the need for long-term services while making the best use of resources.
This includes moving away from costly under-used residential and day centre buildings to developing support closer to where people live, including in their own homes, maximising the capacity to support vulnerable people.
The two proposals being taken forward are:
1. To improve short-term care services in the Chichester and Bognor Regis areas, building on the success of a scheme which supports people in their own homes on discharge from hospital. We will also continue to offer short-term residential care through existing contracts with care providers, rather than a stay in a Marjorie Cobby House, a council-owned residential home in Selsey.
2. To provide more flexibility and choice to older people and their families looking for day services, including respite care and community activities across West Sussex.
In a statement the council says:
As part of these proposals, a decision was taken to close Marjorie Cobby House and six Shaw Healthcare day services, ensuring alternative support is provided more effectively and sustainably.
The decisions do not reduce services available to people, but instead offer support and care to people in alternative ways which still meets the individual needs of residents.
The decisions reflect the change in demand and the need to ensure that services are cost effective. This is critical as demographic pressures continue to increase across adult social care. The efficient use of all available resources will also help protect other vital services.
Cllr Amanda Jupp, Cabinet Member for Adults’ Services, said: “It is important that our services continue to meet and reflect the needs of those who use them.
“I believe that the decisions made today will give sustainable and longer-term options for people who need support now as well as those who may need it in the future.
“Both decisions followed widely promoted consultation with those who would be affected, together with organisations who support adults in our local communities.
“I would like to thank everyone who shared their views on these proposals as well as reassure them that Cabinet have taken this feedback into consideration when making these decisions.
“I truly believe that these decisions are in the best interests of people living in West Sussex, but I also acknowledge that they may not please everyone,” added Cllr Jupp.
Subject to both decisions clearing the county council’s normal ‘call-in’ period (25 November) then work will begin to implement them.
The full decision reports on the futures of Marjorie Cobby House and Shaw Healthcare Older People Day Services are also available on the county council’s website.
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