Changing the way we deliver services
Frequently asked questions
Some answers to your questions about the negotiations with Shaw Healthcare.
1. Does this mean that Shaw will no longer take over any of the residential homes?
2. Do you know which residential homes will transfer to Shaw?
3. Does this mean that the residential home I am in will not now change?
4. Will this make the whole process longer?
5. Will my Day Care arrangements change?
6. Does this mean that you will change what was intended to be developed on the residential home sites?
7. How will you consult with people?
8. Will you still be building Extra Care Flats?
9. Will this make the homes more expensive?
10. Will there be as much choice as originally envisaged?
11. Will you be re-furbishing homes in the meantime?
1. Does this mean that Shaw will no longer take over any of the residential homes?
No, Devon County Council are still negotiating with Shaw as the preferred bidder. Due to the current economic climate revised proposals are being worked on that make it more likely to raise the finance needed to bring about new developments. Should this prove to be successful Shaw will redevelop a number of sites
2. Do you know which residential homes will transfer to Shaw?
It is not possible to say which particular homes at this stage, we want to engage with local groups and stakeholders regarding development proposals. This be undertaken between now and early spring 2009. The results of this will determine which homes might be transferred to Shaw.
3. Does this mean that the residential home I am in will not now change?
The home in the short term will continue to be operated by Devon County Council. We are committed to the externalisation of our services including the residential homes. In the medium to longer term the homes will be redeveloped.
4. Will this make the whole process longer?
The current County-wide development programme put forward by Shaw would take 7 years to complete. As a revised development programme could possibly go ahead with more than one provider this could offer the opportunity to shorten the 7-year development programme that was previously planned
5. Will my Day Care arrangements change?
No, the way in which your Day Care is provided will remain the same as it is now. At some point in the future when each of the home sites are redeveloped the day care arrangements will be reviewed and alternative arrangements will be put in place.
6. Does this mean that you will change what was intended to be developed on the residential home sites?
We are still committed to ensuring we meet the needs of older people into the future. This means that we still need to focus on developing specialist care facilities that respond to much higher levels of dependency and that we are contributing to the need for specialist homes for dementia, both of these are in short supply within Devon. We want to consult with people to ensure we are developing the right services in the right places for the future.
7. How will you consult with people?
In addition to the consultation we have already carried out, over the coming months we will be holding consultation events in local communities to gather views. We will do this both directly and through other agencies. Your views will be taken into account when determining what should be developed in each locality. We will inform you of the results of the consultations and how we have arrived at the decision regarding the future of each residential home site.
8. Will you still be building Extra Care Flats?
We still need to focus upon developing extra care accommodation and services across Devon to assist in allowing people to remain as independent as possible for longer. By increasing the amount of extra care accommodation, we will be allowing a choice for older people in Devon that is currently limited.
9. Will this make the homes more expensive?
No, an important part of the negotiations with Shaw is to ensure that the cost of the services we would be purchasing represent value for money. We would apply this rigour in negotiating any revised development proposals .Devon County Council is committed to obtaining best value in the commissioning of its services and utilising public funds as prudently as possible.
10. Will there be as much choice as originally envisaged?
Yes, through the process of consultation we are confident that the choice within Shaw’s original development programme will be at the least maintained and may increase in range as an outcome of consultation.
11. Will you be re-furbishing homes in the meantime?
We will be ensuring that the homes comply with the requirements of CSCI up until the point that they are redeveloped. In circumstances where there is a significant capital investment required to achieve this, careful consideration will be given in each case to ensure that the investment required represents prudent use of public funds in the context of the timescale for the redevelopment of the homes.
