The Health and Social Care Committee of Rugby Council met on Thursday 27 June 2024 to discuss various issues, including the profit in adult care homes, fostering services, and updates from NHS Wales. Key decisions were made regarding the regulation of profits in adult care homes and the support for fostering services.

Profit in Adult Care Homes

The committee discussed the ongoing issue of profit in adult care homes. A response from the Minister for Social Care to the Chair regarding this matter was reviewed. The Minister's response, detailed in PTN 2, highlighted the government's stance on regulating profits to ensure quality care. The committee debated the merits of imposing profit caps, with arguments for ensuring funds are reinvested into care quality and against potential impacts on private care providers.

Fostering Services

The committee reviewed several papers related to fostering services, including submissions from TACT Cymru, the Nationwide Association of Fostering Providers, and The Fostering Network. Discussions focused on improving support for foster carers and ensuring the stability of placements for children. The committee decided to recommend increased funding and resources for fostering services, acknowledging the critical role they play in child welfare.

Updates from NHS Wales

The committee reviewed correspondence between the Chair and Judith Paget CBE, NHS Wales Chief Executive, regarding NHS Wales plans. The response from Judith Paget provided updates on ongoing initiatives and future plans to improve healthcare services. The committee discussed the importance of these updates in ensuring transparency and accountability in NHS operations.

Other Correspondence

Several other pieces of correspondence were reviewed, including letters between the Chair and various officials regarding updates on health and social care policies. Notably, the letter from the Chair to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care and the response from the Cabinet Secretary were discussed, focusing on the implementation of new health initiatives.

The meeting underscored the committee's commitment to addressing critical issues in health and social care, with a focus on ensuring quality care and support for vulnerable populations.