Purpose

The
report requests a decision from Cabinet to direct award a set of contracts for
Recovery & Community Resilience services as an interim measure to the
existing providers to ensure continuity whilst longer-term planning continues
to shape the future requirement. This is permitted under the Healthcare
Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations. These are services that provide
support to people in their homes following a stay in hospital.

Content

(a)             
That, the current performance and the importance
of the Recovery & Community Resilience contracts in the operation of the
local urgent and emergency care system, be noted

(b)             
That the use of the direct award process C under
The Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 (PSR23),
be approved, to award five contracts to the existing providers in order to continue the existing Recovery and Community
Resilience (RCR) service; and

(c)              
That authority be delegated to the Executive
Director of Adults & Housing, in consultation with the Section 151 Officer
and the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, to make all necessary
arrangements to give effect to the direct award to the existing providers.

 

Reason for
the decision

Dorset Council was the Lead Commissioner, on
behalf of the Dorset Integrated Care System, for the Recovery and Community
Resilience (RCR) contracts, which were funded in the main from NHS
Contributions via the Better Care Fund. 
This was a critical service to avoid bed blocking with knock-on effects
for the Integrated Care Board and the Council. There was an essential
requirement to have established contract provision in place.