Lowfields on list of possible new mental health hospital sites

After over 4 years of neglect by the York Council, the derelict former Lowfields school site has emerged as one of the options for the location of a new mental health hospital.
Lowfields school site is now overgrown

Lowfields school site is now overgrown

The hospital will replace the obsolescent Bootham Park facility which was forced to close last year following a damming inspectors report.

In total 12 possible locations are being considered by the NHS.

The hospital will cover a wide catchment area so – with limited public transport services available – it is surprising that sites away from the City centre are apparently being considered.

The expectation had been that the new hospital would be built next to the existing facility in Bootham – although the traditional facility at The Retreat might have provided an alternative location.

Consultation meetings have been scheduled by the NHS with the nearest being at The Folk Hall, Hawthorn Terrace, New Earswick, on Tuesday 31 May (two events 2.00 – 5.00pm and 5.15 – 7.15 pm).

The NHS trust say,

We are in the early stages of planning for the new facility, which is due to open in 2019, and are inviting people to attend one of four events which are being held in the area.

The workshop style sessions will focus on three main areas – the size and number of beds needed, potential sites for the new hospital and best practice in building design.

Residents had been expecting the latest version of the Local Plan (set to be revealed on 15th June) to confirm that the school site (the footprint of the buildings) would be allocated for the construction of accommodation mainly aimed at older people. The site is ideal for retired people as it is located within walking distance of a full range of facilities in Acomb Village.

Residents were also hoping that any plans to build on the school playing field would finally be quashed. In surveys conducted by local Councillors the majority of residents said that they wanted the field to be retained as open space.

Safe Place Scheme for York

Plans to create a Safe Place Scheme for disabled people, including people with mental health issues are taking shape.

The nationally recognised Safe Place Scheme gives people a short term ‘Safe Place’ to go if they are feeling threatened when out and about in their local area.

It enables public spaces (such as shops, cafés and libraries) to be designated as safe and supportive places where disabled people can go if they are having difficulty, feel lost or frightened.

York Independent Living Network (YILN) – a local disabled people-led organisation – has received funding from the City of York Council to set up a steering group with representation from community organisations and local authorities to take the scheme forward in York.

The steering group will develop resources for the Safe Place Scheme, recruit venues to become Safe Places and make recommendations to the council and the police to help maintain the Safe Place Scheme.
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Benefit advice sessions move to Acomb Explore Library

The York Council has announced that residents will be able to receive benefits advice and support at Acomb Explore Library Learning Centre from Monday 6 June.
Cllr Sue Hunter, Cllr Sheena Jackson and Cllr Andrew Waller outside the Acomb Explore Library

Cllr Sue Hunter, Cllr Sheena Jackson and Cllr Andrew Waller outside the Acomb Explore Library

The benefits advice service is moving from the Gateway Centre to Acomb Explore Library Learning Centre on Monday 6 June as part of work to make it easier for residents to access benefits advice.

The Council in 2010 announced plans to make the library a local information and advice hub but the idea was shelved by the Labour controlled Council when it closed the Acomb Housing Office in 2012.

Still it goes to show that good ideas will always rise to the surface.

Residents will be able to drop-in at the weekly sessions between 9am and 3pm (closed between 12.30pm and 1pm) where a trained adviser will be on hand to support residents.

In addition to the weekly sessions, all Explore Library Learning Centre staff will be trained to help residents access welfare benefits information in the coming months. This change means residents will be able to access support and signposting to the best available services from trained staff whilst also continuing to access the internet for free in Explores across the city.

In a media release the Council also says that “the changes come ahead of the upcoming launch of a new online Customer Relationship Management system and personal council accounts for residents ‘My Account’, a smart and responsive online service which will enable residents to access council services anytime anywhere. The system will also provide webchat meaning residents across the city will have access to more advice and support online on a range of areas, including benefits”.

The much promised electronic “My Account” system has been “launched” on 4 separate occasions over the last two years. We think that the Council would be wise to finish refining and testing the new system before becoming too bullish about it in public statements.
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£500,000 fund to support older adults in York

 elderly_couple_playing_poker_royalty_free_080816-160588-867042Members of City of York Council’s Executive will be asked to consider plans to invest in schemes to support older and vulnerable adults at a meeting later this month (19 May).

The aim of the £500,000 ‘Community Fund budget’ is to invest in community initiatives which prevent or delay the need for people to access statutory social care provision by supporting the development of community and voluntary sector capacity to identify and respond to local needs.

Local Ward Committees have already been allocated £150,000 over two years and members are being asked to approve plans to create a ‘Community Fund pot’ to support priorities identified by local residents and ward members. Officers from the Communities Team and Adult Social Care would provide support and provide a framework of potential initiatives that would meet the needs of local residents.

Potential initiatives could include:

  • Community transport
  • Befriending/social clubs and activities
  • Local handyperson schemes
  • Falls prevention
  • Good neighbour initiatives/

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Burnholme Health & Wellbeing Campus Plans

Bunholme "hub" layout. click to enlarge

Bunholme “hub” layout. 

Members of City of York Council’s Executive will be asked to approve plans to progress the new Health and Wellbeing Campus at Burnholme at their meeting later this month (19 May).

The plans, which form an element of the Older Person’s Accommodation Programme, include:

  • a nursing and residential care home of at least 82 beds;
  • space for a relocated Explore Library Learning Centre;
  • nursery and out of school care for pre- and primary school age children;
  • meeting and activity spaces for community and voluntary sector groups and communities of interest;
  • space for rent by start-up enterprises and by small third sector organisations;
  • a wide spectrum of both formal and informal indoor sports and active leisure provision;
  • sports pitches and other outdoor activities;
  • accommodation for General Medical (GP) and community-based health services;
  • flexible training and meeting spaces for health service and lifestyle information provision;
  • complementary commercial offering e.g. pharmacy, community cafe etc; and
  • homes to rent and to buy.

Unfortunately no report has been produced updating Councillors on the future of the Lowfields site in Westfield. The site was the original location for improved facilities for older residents.
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Firearms training taking place in Oakhaven former elderly persons home

Council “forgets” to mention Lowfields school site in new social care report

All residents have now been moved out of the Oakhaven elderly people’s home in York Road.  The Council says that there will be a “delay” before work starts on building a specialist Extra Care facility on the site.

A report to a meeting next week says

Bunholme "hub" layout. click to enlarge

Bunholme “hub” layout. click to enlarge

“we have closed down Oakhaven: shutting off water and gas so that all is safe (but leaving on the electricity so that the fire and security systems continue to operate) and moving out equipment for reuse elsewhere, if in reasonable condition, or for disposal.

The building will then stand empty while we procure a partner to redevelop it as an Extra Care facility. While it is empty we have offered its use as a temporary kitchen while Poppleton Road school kitchens are refurbished and for fire arms and dog training by North Yorkshire Police [no live ammunition]”.

Residents may be sceptical about just how long the site will remain derelict. The Oliver House saga dragged on for three years (and counting) while the former Lowfields school site – ideal as a location for accommodation for elderly residents because it is close to amenities – hasn’t even been put on the market yet.

Another elderly person’s home (Grove House) is being sold off.

The Council seems to be concentrating all its resource son the east of the City with the Burnholme school site set to be turned into a well-being hub. (see above right)

The Council is now consulting on the closure of Morrell House (Burton Stone Lane), Willow House (Long Close Lane), Windsor House (Ascot Way) and Woolnough House (Woolnough Ave)

Majority of York’s Residential, Nursing and Homecare Services rated ‘Good’

Two thirds of York’s Residential, Nursing and Homecare Services are rated as ‘Good’ according to national inspectors, the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Social careMembers of City of York Council’s Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee will receive a report about the performance of care services in the city at their meeting next week (26 April).

Almost half of registered services in York have been inspected by the Care Quality Commission – the national regulatory body for health and social care – under their new inspection model.

Of those inspected*, 65.9 per cent were rated as Good, compared to 47.6 per cent in 2015, and a national average of 59 per cent.

A total of 2.4 per cent were rated as Outstanding (the highest possible rating) compared to a national average of one per cent. 31.7 per cent were rated as Requiring Improvement, compared to a national average of 33 per cent. No homes were rated as Inadequate, compared to a national average of seven per cent.

York’s services scored particularly highly on how caring they were, how effective and how responsive to customers’ needs under City of York Council’s own monitoring process.

The report also includes details about the annual Home Care Survey. Of the 181 customers who responded, 93 per cent stated that they were satisfied with the quality of the services they received.

Gale Farm Court care services rated ‘good’

Gale Farm Court sheltered accommodation

Gale Farm Court sheltered accommodation

Care and support services at City of York Council’s Sheltered Accommodation with Extra Care facilities has been described as ‘good’ by independent inspectors

The Personal Support Services (PSS), which offers care services to a number of tenants at Glen Lodge, Barstow House, Marjorie Waite Court and Gale Farm Court, was assessed by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in January. It was described as ‘safe, effective, caring and responsive’ by the team of inspectors, who spoke to tenants and members of staff as part of their visit.

Comments from customers included: “I feel safe because they’re [the carers] are so efficient.”; “The care workers are very professional in everything they do.” “The carers and very good and considerate. They always look after me well and are most kind and careful.”

Councillor Carol Runciman, Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Health, City of York Council, said: “I’m pleased that the inspection has highlighted so many areas of good practice in the care and support provided at our sheltered housing accommodation. It’s particularly heartening to see so many positive comments from customers about the care they receive.

“Extending the existing facilities at Glen Lodge and creating additional purpose-built Sheltered Accommodation across the city is a key part of our plans to improve accommodation for older people in the city and I’m delighted that our existing services are rated as ‘good’. I’d like to thank all the staff for their continued hard work and dedication.”

Customers’ social care views to shape local priorities

CQC report formAdults receiving care and support from City of York Council are being asked for their views and experiences of the services as part of a nationwide survey throughout January and February.

The Adults’ Social Care Survey, which will be sent out by every council in England and Wales, will be used by the authority to understand the experiences of people receiving its care and support services.
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York Adult Social Care: Local Account 2016’ published

Click to download

Click to download

Details of some of the achievements, improvements and continuing challenges in adult social care and support in York over the last year are now available in a single booklet.

‘Working together in Adult Social Care: Local Account 2016’ looks at a wide range of key services provided or commissioned by the council for customers, including older people, people with physical disabilities, those with mental health conditions, learning disabilities and dementia.

The report sets out key areas that the council will be focusing on for the year ahead as well as highlighting many of the challenges that York, along with other social care authorities across the country, faces.
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