Decision details

To set the fees for 2021/22 CQC regulated provision in Oldham in respect of adult health and social care funded services such as Residential and Nursing Homes and Domiciliary Care.
A report was considered and subsequently approved in May authorising the proposed rates to consult with the commissioned market in Oldham.
The report provides analysis of the feedback received through the consultation, outlines the recommended approach to implementing the fees for 2021/22 and recommends further consideration of the nursing premium in relation to fees for the residential sector.

RESOLVED - That:
Implement the proposed fee increases:
•Non-residential increase 2.5%
•Residential increase 3%
The recommended option is 2; to implement the proposed fees increases of 2.5% for non-residential and 3% for residential provision in borough. This is based on extensive analysis having been undertaken which sits alongside the strategic relevance review undertaken in 2020/21 and the care home commissioning approach to take place by Autumn 2021. Responses to the sector will be provided advising them on what the next steps are and when elements such as the dementia and nursing premiums will be reviewed.

1.No change to rates – resulting in continuing to pay 2020/21 rates
2.Implement the proposed fee increases:
•Non-residential increase 2.5%
•Residential increase 3%
3.Commence a further consultation with alternative fee proposals

Options 1 and 3 are not considered viable:
Option 1 does not take into consideration the mandated increases to national living wage and other legislative increases that impact on providing services. In addition, a number of providers have advised the difficulty in obtaining insurance without a substantial premium rise with some providers advising of exclusions to their insurance presenting risk to them. The insurance position is one of significant concern, locally, regionally and nationally and the care sector and insurance premiums situation as a result of the pandemic has been entered on to the Council’s Risk Register and continues to be monitored.
Option 3 is not considered to be an appropriate option for this year’s fees. Earlier this calendar year an open consultation process was conducted with the aim of seeking information from commissioned providers ahead of the Council’s budget setting process. This assisted us with analysing data and considering an appropriate per centage increases for the relevant areas of the sector, and ultimately resulted in the non-residential sector and residential sector proposed fees increases being different at 2.5% and 3% respectively.

Consultation with the commissioned provider market has taken place to support the setting of fees for 2021/22:
- open consultation
- targeted consultation on the proposed rate increases