Respite nursing care

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A decision made 20 January 2010 regarding: Respite nursing care - contract.

Decision Reference: MD-HSS-2010-0011
Decision Summary Title :	Contract for the provision of nursing care respite beds		Date of Decision Summary:	20 January 2010
Decision Summary Author:	Directorate Manager of Medicine		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:
Written Report Title :	Proposed renewal of a service level agreement for the provision of nursing care respite beds		Date of Written Report:	20 January 2010
Written Report Author:	Directorate Manager of Medicine		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: Provision of nursing care respite beds- approval of contract
Decision(s): The Minister approved the contract with a named supplier to purchase up to 4 nursing care respite beds during the first 4 months of 2010 in accordance with report “ Proposed renewal of a service level agreement for the provision of nursing care respite beds”, 20th January 2010. A copy of the contract is to be held by Health and Social Services.
Reason(s) for decision: Ministerial Decision MD –HSS – 2007 – 0012, in January 2007 allowed for the implementation of a service level agreement between Health and Social Services and an independent provider for the provision of up to four nursing care respite beds for a 3 year period with effect January 2007. The 3 year period has now expired and this new contract with a different independent provider represents the ongoing purchase of nursing care respite beds for a trial period of 6 months with an option to extend to 3 years should both parties agree. The terms of the contract demonstrate good value for money principles.
Resource Implications: No additional financial or manpower resource is required.
Action required: Contract to be signed by the provider and come into effect as of 20th January 2010.
Signature:		Position: Minister for Health and Social Services
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

Respite nursing care - contract

HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT

PROPOSED RENEWAL OF A SERVICE LEVEL AGREEMENT FOR THE PROVISION OF NURSING CARE RESPITE BEDS

INTRODUCTION

As part of the agreed closure of the Leoville and Mc Kinstry continuing nursing care beds on the Overdale site in 2006/2007, a Ministerial Decision in January 2007 (Ref MD –HSS – 2007 – 0012) allowed the implementation of a service level agreement between Health and Social Services and an independent provider for the provision of up to four nursing care respite beds for a 3 year period with effect January 2007.

On 26th October 2009, an invitation to tender from appropriately registered nursing homes for up to a maximum of four nursing care respite beds was instigated to ensure the continuance of a high quality value for money nursing care respite service.

PROPOSAL

Following a careful evaluation process (involving a number of factors) of the received tenders, the recommendation is to transfer up to four nursing care respite beds to a new independent provider for a period of three years with effect January 2010.

In order to instigate a planned and orderly transfer of service it is proposed to transfer one bed per month (starting January 2010) from the current provider to the new provider. This arrangement has the following benefits:-

disruption to the respite plans of patients and their carers are minimised;
due acknowledgement is given to the good support and service given by the current provider; and,
both providers are given sufficient time to adjust from an operational and financial perspective to the changed circumstances.

The terms of the new arrangement with the chosen provider are set out in the proposed service level agreement. The financial terms of the current and proposed service level agreement are commercially sensitive and confidential to the affected parties.

ADMINISTRATIVE AND MONITORING ARRANGEMENTS

The administrative and monitoring arrangements attached to the proposal are set out within the terms of the proposed service level agreement and are similar to those that have been successful for the last three years with the current provider.

FINANCE AND MANPOWER

No additional manpower or finance is required to procure up to four nursing care respite beds from the chosen independent provider, or for Health and Social Services to provide the necessary administrative, monitoring and support for such a service.

MINISTERIAL DECISION

Please refer to Appendix 1 which sets out the relevant part of the Ministerial Decision that supports this report (attached).

RECOMMENDATION

The recommendation of this report is to approve the implementation of the proposed service level agreement with the chosen provider.

Mark Littler

Directorate Manager of Medicine

20th January 2010