Appendix 2 - East Sussex County Council

2.1.5 To achieve a better, more integrated service with greater continuity of care.2.1.6 To derive the fullest possible value from public funds.3. Essential criteria for a re-provided service3.1 A multi-disciplinary ‘Re-provisioning Group’ has completed a review of Mount Denys, andgiven consideration to future services for older people with mental illness in Hastings and Rother,against the following criteria:3.1.1 The pattern of services must be in line with present and anticipated future needs.3.1.2 Services and environment must meet the National Minimum Standards.3.1.3 Account should be taken of enabling present long-term Mount Denys residents to remaintogether, to preserve friendships and continuity.3.1.4 Minimise disruption to present Mount Denys residents.3.1.5 Services must be in the Hastings locality.3.1.6 Health/SSD partnership needed to ensure ease of access to full spectrum of services.3.1.7 Making best possible use of public finances, to the benefit of service users.4. Consultation4.1 Best Value and the Human Rights Act set consultation as an essential principle of anyproposals for change. Effective formal consultation with users and carers and other stakeholders,including the recognised trade unions, will be essential. Legal advice is that a sufficient period oftime should be allowed for proper consultation. A six-month period of consultation is thereforerecommended.5. Risks5.1 The following are potential risks: -5.1.1 Some Local Authorities have experienced legal challenges when future plans for residentialhomes have been canvassed. The Human Rights Act may be used in some instances. Effectiveconsultation, which is appropriately taken into account when any decision is made on the future ofa home, is essential to minimise such challenges. However, any challenge (successful or not)could impact upon the process and have significant financial consequences for the County Counciland other stakeholders.5.1.2 The necessary improvements would require major changes to the Mount Denys building, ata cost of £1.2 to £1.3 million, with consequent reduced occupancy. These works would involvetemporary closure and create considerable disruption.5.1.3 The services provided by Mount Denys are not currently available elsewhere in the area. IfMount Denys were to close, a suitable replacement facility may not be available unlessESCC/ESBHHA were to commission the development of capacity to meet the complex andspecialised present and future needs of this user group.5.1.4 If closure becomes the ultimate decision, taking into account all the necessary information,there would be a need to sensitively manage transfers to reduce the negative impact of movingolder people from their home environment. A significant investment in social work time, in the formof a dedicated project team, would be required to minimise this.5.1.5 Similarly, if closure becomes an option, retention of staff may become an issue during theconsultation period, as staff may begin to seek jobs elsewhere. Employing agency staff to coverwould add additional cost and could affect quality and morale.David ArchibaldDirector of Social ServicesContact Officers: Mike Walsh, Head of Older People’s Services (01273) 481351Gary Samuel, Performance Manager, ESBHHA (01273) 403532C:\web site stuff\ctee reports \C30July2002Item16Appendix2MountDenys.docLast printed 7/24/2002 4:01 PM