Meeting documents

Communities Scrutiny Sub-Committee (DCC)
Monday 2 September 2002


            Meeting: Communities Scrutiny Sub-Committee (County Hall, Durham - Committee Room 1a - 02/09/2002 01:00:00 AM 30/12/1899 10:00:00 AM)

                  Item: A5 Aids and Adaptations


         

Scrutiny Sub-Committee for Promoting Strong, Healthy and Safe Communities

2 September 2002

Aids and Adaptations

Report of Head of Overview and Scrutiny

Purpose of Report

1. To give an up-date about progress to secure improvements in the Aids and Adaptations Services within the County.

Background

2. Under the Council’s experimental Constitution, a major Scrutiny project was undertaken in conjunction with all District Councils, the Health Authority and users and carers to examine services to residents who required aids and adaptations in their homes.

3. The recommendations of the Scrutiny Group which were approved by Cabinet are set out in the attached Appendix.

4. One of the recommendations of the Scrutiny Group was to review the process to assess what improvements have been made in practice. An action plan was prepared by the Social Services Department in line with the recommendations of the Scrutiny Group. A review meeting was convened in October 2001 involving users of the service. The evidence from the user group was not as positive as had been hoped and, as a result of this meeting, a report was presented to Cabinet on the 4th December 2001 asking the Executive to expedite the required improvements in this important service.

5. Cabinet supported the view of the Scrutiny Group and agreed that the performance in relation to Aids and Adaptations should be closely monitored.

6. The Social Services Department has indicated that considerable improvements have been introduced in the delivery of this service. A working group meeting to discuss progress with the users of the service has been arranged for Friday, 5th September. The Group will be considering a progress report from the Director of Social Services. However, the most important input will come from the users of this service who will be given the opportunity to give their own views about the progress which has been made.



Recommendation

7. You are recommended to note the information in this report.

Contact: Ian Mackenzie Tel: 0191 383 3506


Attachments


 item5.doc