Residential and Nursing Care Market Position Statement 2025 - 2040 - Vision and intentions

Commissioning Intentions

1. Right size residential and nursing bed provision in terms of needs presenting now and into the future and in terms of cost and quality
2. Seek to only work with residential and nursing providers that align with Council values and are CQC rated ‘Good’. Council to reward and incentivise good quality provision.
3. Grow supply of residential and nursing care for over 65’s more specialist needs: better use existing supply and plan for net growth in over 65’s more specialist care over the next 15 years to meet Council and self- funder requirements.
4. Ensure that commissioners direct new care home developments in association with planning, providers and partners such as the Intermediate Care Board (ICB) so that new developments are where they are needed and of the right type, volume and quality.
5. Better manage existing supply of specialist, personalised care for under 65 year old adults of working age in appropriate environments. The strategic direction is for younger adults to be in supported living and other forms of accommodation, unless their needs are such that residential and nursing care is needed.
6. Commission flexible, dual-registered provision to manage varying and changing care needs and to fill voids and under-occupancy in some care homes.
7. Define pathways out of residential for those able to move into alternatives such as supported accommodation.
8. Focus on and encourage developments in geographical locations with least residential and nursing care and to encourage mixed developments with various forms of care and support on-site.
9. Reduce out of Borough support and have better sight of the use of Walsall care homes by other Councils to ensure that Walsall citizens can access care homes in their home Borough
10. Ensure that the protected characteristics of residents of care home residents are understood and met by all residential and nursing providers.
11. Support care home workforce and skills development to manage increased specialisms needed in care homes.
12. Ensure modernised care home environments and offers through refurbishment and new developments.
13. Invest and increase the use of TECH, digital and AI in care home settings to improve the care experience and maximise independence as well as reducing reliance on workforce.
14. Support and encourage sector-led improvement in the residential and nursing sector and co-design future models of care with providers.
15. Ensure continued effective joint working with the ICB, Hospital Trust and other partners on residential and nursing care (for example  Discharge to Access (D2A),  Continuing Health Care (CHC).