Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

a)  To agree the minutes of the meeting held on 13^th July 2022.

b)  Matters arising

The minutes of the meeting held on 13 July 2022 were agreed and signed as a true record. There were no matters arising.

Report of the Director of Adult Services and Housing

The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Director of Adult Services and Housing seeking approval for the joint Coventry and Warwickshire Living Well with Dementia Strategy 2022-2027.

Coventry’s Living Well with Dementia Strategy (2014) had been refreshed to create a 5-year document across Coventry and Warwickshire Integrated Care Board and Warwickshire County Council.  The Strategy built on the 2014 document reflecting current policy, priorities and ways of working.

The Strategy set out ways of working and use of existing allocated resources for continuing improvements for people living with dementia.  There was no additional funding requirement associated with the strategy.

The Strategy would be delivered and monitored via annual delivery plans and reviewed as appropriate dependent upon any relevant policy documents related to dementia.

The Cabinet Member, having considered the report, welcomed the collaborative working with Warwickshire County Council along with reducing risk, promoting independence, supporting carers and the annual review process.

The Cabinet Member and Deputy Cabinet Member congratulated officers on report.

RESOLVED that, the Cabinet Member for Adult Services 

·  Approves the joint Coventry and Warwickshire Living Well with Dementia Strategy 2022-2027.

Report of the Director of Adult Services and Housing

The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Director of Adult Services and Housing which sought approval to the development of a Coventry Dementia Hub and the reduction of traditional services to two days per week. In addition, the report sought approval to the associated adaptation of the building and commencement of building works required to create the hub.

The provision of day opportunities was an important function in meeting Council’s responsibilities to Adults with Care and Support needs and their carers’ and Council’s provision of day opportunities for older adults with dementia had all been centre-based services and activities.

The expectations of people with care and support needs had changed during the pandemic and day centres which historically provided ‘in centre’ support were now not required.  Provision of centre-based support and the opportunity to undertake activities better achieved the outcomes people were seeking.  Changes to the services being proposed supported the intentions and priorities for the proposed Coventry and Warwickshire Living Well with Dementia Strategy 2022-2027.

The Maymorn Day Centre was a Council operated Monday to Friday service for people with advanced dementia and had provided a long-valued service.  However, prior to the pandemic, the centre had been underutilised and data had shown that traditional day services for people with advanced dementia was not sustainable long term.  The long day was considered a negative factor although, for carers, this had provided a full day’s respite.  Since the service re-opened, shorter days had been accommodated however, there continued to be a low uptake on the traditional day service option and the number of referrals received did not necessitate a need to re-open 5 days per week.

Council responded to the changing position by operating the Maymorn Centre 3 days per week and as a pilot, provided alternatives to centre-based activities delivered through the provision of outreach over 5 days.  The outreach service offered 1:1 support to people with dementia to participate in activities in their own homes or in the community, offering a mixture of personal support outreach, drop-in sessions and access to 2 days per week traditional day service.  The interim outreach pilot had proven popular with many people using the outreach service instead of the traditional day service and as a result, a formal consultation commenced on 20th September 2021 to look at progress the hub and mainstream this new model of support.

The Cabinet Member, having considered the report, thanked the officers for the report and commended the outreach work and the choices that would be available to people with dementia.

RESOLVED that, the Cabinet Member for Adult Services:

1.  Approves the development of a Dementia Hub and the reduction of traditional services to 2 days per week, creating 96 hours of outreach and drop in opportunities.

2.  Approves the adaptation of the Maymorn building and commencement of building works to create the hub.

Report of the Director of Law and Governance

The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Director of Law and Governance which detailed one item that was discussed in Item 4: Developing a Coventry Dementia Hub.

RESOLVED that the Cabinet Member notes the Outstanding Issues report.

There were no other items of business.