Purpose

Decision to procure Intermediate Care beds
across the county to deliver a fair and equitable Intermediate Care
offer.

Decision

Approval has been given to undertake a
procurement exercise for Intermediate Care Bed services in North
Yorkshire over the next four years.
The services will be jointly funded by North Yorkshire Council and
Humber & North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (HNYICB).

Reasons for the decision

Intermediate care beds provide short-term
support, often in care homes, after being in hospital to enable a
person to return home, or to prevent a hospital admission. Support
is focussed on maximising recovery and rehabilitation and is
provided by multi-disciplinary teams. These teams include health
and social care professionals working within the care settings
supported by physiotherapists, occupational therapists, therapy
assistants, social care workers and other care professionals. The
procurement will establish a more robust pathway for people
requiring bed-based intermediate care through a new longer-term
contract and service specification with care home providers for
delivery of these services in North Yorkshire. The procurement will
ensure that settings have an environment appropriate for
intermediate care, with an appropriately trained workforce and
rehabilitation and recovery focus.

Alternative options considered

The Council will continue to optimise delivery
within our in-house provision by continuing block arrangements
where demand is being met. Due to environments/layout, in-house
provision cannot meet the needs of people with more advanced rehab
needs or people with specialist care needs. The Council has
approved plans for up to five new Care & Support Hubs across
the county to deliver specialist residential care and bed-based
intermediate care, subject to individual business cases being
brought forward. This is a major capital programme to be delivered
over the next five years, and therefore there is a requirement to
procure additional beds from the wider care market in the interim.
All available procurement and contracting options have been
explored taking into account the nature of the service and
market.