A Fife care home director has described the council’s response to the challenges faced in caring for older people as “exemplary” highlighting the benefits to be had by looking at alternative care providers.
With the local authority looking at the various options open to it, Michael MacIntosh, regional director of Southern Cross Healthcare, stressed that significant savings could be made by the local authority outsourcing in-house services to the private and voluntary sector.
Fife Council is considering how residential, respite and day care services should be provided across the region now and in the future, with a greater reliance on the private and not-for-profit sector one of the suggested options.
However, the local authority appears keen to press ahead with plans for two council-run care homes to replace three ageing facilities in Kirkcaldy and Dunfermline, as well as exploring options for what to do with the council’s remaining seven homes.
Mr MacIntosh has stressed that “sustainable solutions” must be found due to the “undeniable” care funding crisis that exists in Scotland.
He said, “With the cost of care ever increasing and public spending cuts on the horizon, the issue of elderly care provision is on the agenda of local authorities throughout Scotland, particularly since CoSLA confirmed it had ‘no clue’ how to sustain the future.
“Fife Council has delivered an exemplary response addressing the issue sooner rather than later, exploring alternative options and taking positive steps toward developing a viable solution.
“Local authorities could be making much more of independent care providers to improve their service and offer better value to tax payers. Fife Council’s recent proposals do just this.
“It is widely recognised that it costs significantly more to care for an individual in a council-run residential home than in an independent or not-for-profit provider, which are able to offer the flexible range of quality care options required with lower operating costs.
“Fife Council confirmed this week that its own residential care provision costs the taxpayer an average of £809 per resident per week, some 70% higher than the price it pays for equivalent services from the independent sector.
“Outsourcing its in-house services would provide a potential saving opportunity to Fife Council of £39.6 million initially, with an ongoing annual saving of £1.3 million.
“It is important for local authorities to engage with providers and consider how we can work together for the best possible result, thinking innovatively and ensuring that quality of care remains a priority at all times.”
Southern Cross already has a large presence in Fife, operating Adam House and Chapel Level care homes in Kirkcaldy; Balfarg, Woodside Court and Lomond Court in Glenrothes; Forth View in Methil; and The Beeches in Dunfermline.
A meeting between council officials and parties in the private and not-for-profit sectors on future care provision is understood to have been arranged for November 10.