Decision:
a) AWARD the contract for the Integrated Digital Assistive Technology Solution to Alcove; and
b) DELEGATE authority to the Corporate Director of Adult Social Care and Health to take relevant actions, including but not limited to finalising the terms of and entering into required contracts or other legal agreements, as necessary to implement the decision.
This project supports KCC’s strategic outcomes by supporting older and vulnerable residents to be safe and have choices to live independently.
Making improvements to the way services are delivered in response to the COVID-19 crisis will help to realise the objectives within the Your Life, Your Wellbeing strategy 2016 – 2021. The strategy seeks to promote the independence of individuals whilst also committing to ‘make use of digital technology and innovation in the delivery of care and support and help services address challenges.’
The project is to be delivered at pace in order to support the response to the current COVID-19 virus. It is acknowledged that the available workforce may diminish, and thus alternative solutions need to be readily available in order to support priority groups to enable staff to deliver on the Local Authority strategic responsibilities. There are both public health protection benefits and continuity of service benefits to vulnerable older people resulting from the proposed roll out of this service and technology.
Options
To keep the older and vulnerable people in Kent safe within their own homes during the Coronavirus outbreak, several options were considered:
· Option 1 – Continue as-is
· Option 2 – Utilise a non-technological solution
· Option 3 - Utilise all existing technology available (telecare analogue kit)
· Option 4 – Purchase an integrated digital assistive technology solution
· Option 5 – Purchase an integrated digital assistive technology solution that can be installed remotely
Each option was evaluated in terms of Strengths and Weaknesses, and opportunities and Threats. See full business case for details.
Decision type: Key
Reason Key: Expenditure or savings of more than £1m;
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Division affected: (All Division);
Notice of proposed decision first published: 07/04/2020
This decision will be taken under urgency procedures.
Reason for urgency:
Whilst the current government guidelines relating to self-isolating and the shielded cohort are seeking to positively impact the rate and intensity of the progression of the disease, rapid deployment of a virtual care delivery model will have a significant beneficial impact for vulnerable people in Kent who are currently in receipt of care services in the home. The delivery of this option will significantly enhance the effectiveness of disease / infection prevention measures – particularly in the light of PPE shortages.
The provision of this equipment into people’s homes will save lives by strengthening compliance with all public health guidance related to minimising the spread of C19. In particular, by targeting this solution at C-19 high risk cohorts (over 70 and / or with underlying health conditions) and, for some, removing the need for any hands-on care delivery / anyone entering their home we are protecting some of the most vulnerable members of the local community.
Decision due: 7 Apr 2020 by Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health
Reason: Special Urgency
Lead member: Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health
Lead director: Richard Smith
Department: Social Care, Health & Wellbeing
Contact: Clare Maynard, Head of Commercial and Procurement 03000 416449.
Consultees
No public consultation has been undertaken due to the urgency process
No Cabinet Committee consultation possible due to urgency process.
The chair of the Scrutiny Committee, Group Spokespeople of the Scrutiny Committee and Chair and Group Spokespeople of the Adult Social Care Cabinet Committee have all been briefed on this matter their comments will be included in the Record of Decision.
Financial implications: £1.478m The funding references the budget line from latest approved KCC Budget – S 5XC 3J019 –where associated costs in response to COVID-19 are recorded. Savings – These are still being calculated over the life of the contract.
Legal implications: The main legislative framework for this project is the Care Act 2014
Equalities implications: Criteria of clients and providers who should be targeted at the outset of this project has yet to be defined, therefore it is not possible to accurately assess the impact on protected characteristics at this time. Once this has been confirmed an Equalities Impact Assessment (EqIA) will be conducted. The implementation of the project during the current COVID-19 pandemic will result in clients receiving tablet-like devices enabling them to receive care and support virtually reducing their risk of becoming infected whilst the authority continuing to deliver on their responsibilities in line with legislation (Care Act 2014). In the current circumstances, it is expected that this project will have a mostly positive impact. Data Protection implications A data impact assessment (DPIA) is currently being created to support this project