New contracts for Peterborough care schemes with reduced service

A three-year contract has been agreed by Peterborough City Council and Longhurst Group for the delivery of care at Bishopsfield Court in Walton and St Edmunds Court in Hampton with the option of a 12 month extension.

Extra care housing is defined as specialist accommodation designed to maximise the independence of older people by providing a safe, secure and stimulating environment.

It is seen as a cost-effective alternative to residential care and is believed to produce better outcomes.

Currently, there are five extra care schemes in Peterborough where the council commissions a 24/7 care contract, three of which are with Longhurst and two with Hales Group Ltd.

The council had previously considered reducing the level of night provision at the sites but this was deemed to be “inappropriate”.

Instead, it decided it could make savings by reducing the floating/activity element of the contract (£141,781 across the five schemes).

The savings are expected to be £47,000 in the current financial year and £24,000 the year after.

Floating/activity support can be: a response to emergencies, support with ad hoc activities and support for people not in receipt of the care service.

This part of the contract can vary from scheme to scheme and from month to month.

The total estimated cost of the new contract will be £2.2 million (based on current commitments) from March 1, 2021 to February 29, 2024.

However, this amount can fluctuate as the needs of the individuals living within the schemes change.