Simon Garner, Health and Care Commissioning Lead introduced the report of the Director of Care and Health providing an update on performance in relation to Adult Social Care and Health.

Key elements of the performance report were highlighted including residential and nursing care over time demonstrating a stable position and the actual numbers of people receiving services has remained similar.

Members were reminded of the extra care provision in Wirral that opened two weeks prior to this committee, thus having a positive impact.

The Health and Care Commissioning Lead advised that there is currently a 20% capacity in care homes in Wirral, a figure that is slightly higher than in neighbouring authorities. It was further reported that 66.67% of Wirral care homes had been rated good by the Care Quality Commission, with 28.46% requiring improvement and 2.44% requiring improvement.

In response to a question by a Member, the Committee were advised that there has been an impact of care home staff needing to self isolate and the situation is being monitored alongside guidance of colleagues in public health. The Committee were also informed that after completing an exercise, it had become apparent that the 20% vacancy rate had been a result of the Covid 19 Pandemic and typically prior to the pandemic, care homes have carried between a 12 and 15% vacancy rate, but covid has increased this.

Resolved – That the report be noted.