Health and Social Care Committee

Consultation on terms of reference for inquiry into residential care for older people

RC4 ToR – Aneurin Bevan Health Board

To whom it may concern

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Terms of Reference for the forthcoming enquiry relating to residential care for older people. Please find below some comments for consideration from Aneurin Bevan Health Board.

1) We would like to suggest that the term 'residential care' is defined. For example, will this include all care homes with and without nursing or be restricted to those homes who are only registered to provide personal care (i.e. residential homes)?

2) Capacity of residential care sector….. We would suggest that this should include staffing skill mix as well as staff resource. This may enrich the evidence of care homes capacity and capability to meet the needs of older people.

3) Bullet point 3 (quality of residential care services). We would suggest that the last sentence is preceded by the words 'the management of escalating concerns and the management of home closures' in line with the Welsh Governments Guidance in this respect

4) Bullet point 4- does this refer only to the regulation and inspection by the Care and Social Services Inspectorate for Wales? If so, Aneurin Bevan would have no comment on this point. However, if this inquiry is intended to look at the role and effectiveness of the statutory bodies (i.e. the NHS and Local Authorities) in monitoring care provision and safety within a care home we would suggest that this may need to be reworded as the NHS and Local Authorities do not 'regulate and inspect'. Additionally, all Health Boards are currently engaged in or arranging an internal audit of their processes in respect to safeguarding vulnerable adults who receive care in non NHS facilities such as care homes.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you wish to discuss this further

Kind regards

Tanya Strange

Senior Nurse, Care Home Governance and Contracting

Complex Care