Decision details

Procurement of community (care home) beds to support hospital discharge

Decision Maker: Leader of the Council

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Purpose:

To seek approval for the procurement of a number of care home beds (funded by Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust) to support hospital discharge.

 

Decision:

That the Leader of the Council:

 

  1. approves the procurement of contracts to a number of care home providers to provide up to 100 beds to support hospital discharge, as set out in this report; and

 

  1. delegates to the Director of People Services (insofar as not already delegated), in consultation with the Director of Legal and Governance and the Director of Finance and Commercial Services, the award of the contracts and any other steps needed in order to undertake and implement this procurement.

 

Note: As the need for these beds is immediate the report is submitted under the Special Urgency Procedure and is removed from the Call-in Process.

 

 

Reasons for the decision:

This is a short-term arrangement to support the current system blockages relating to hospital bed availability.  Therefore it will ensure:

 

  • People do not have to wait in a hospital setting where their risk of decompensation and infection is heightened;

 

  • There will be an improved flow in and out of hospital for people who have an identified acute clinical need;

 

  • There will be sufficient capacity in the city’s hospitals for people who need hospital care;

 

  • Individuals who are ready for discharge will be supported in a safe and supported environment until their care package at home is available.

Alternative options considered:

All alternative options for managing this situation have been exhausted, including increasing the capacity in both the independent and in-house services.  Whilst this has helped and made some improvements it has not impacted significantly enough on the high numbers of people awaiting discharge.

 

Urgent item?: Yes

Publication date: 16/11/2021

Date of decision: 12/11/2021

Accompanying Documents: