A proposal to half the number of beds at an East Ayrshire respite centre has been put before councillors.

The contract for the service at The Elms near Crosshouse was due to come to an end at the end of March. The service gives people respite by providing temporary care for those they care for.

However, an ongoing review of respite provision, which includes a potential cap on spending has prompted East Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) to seek an extension while it is carried out.

The proposal needs approval from East Ayrshire Council.

The HSCP had commissioned six beds and 305 days of ’emergency’ short notice respite care. However, less than half of the bed days available were used.

The HSCP has now sought to commission just three beds, while extending the emergency bed days from 305 to 365 days a year,

This would come into force from the start of April and would save £72k a year.

The proposal was approved by East Ayrshire Integration Joint Board earlier this month and will now go to cabinet for approval.

A report to councillors states that between January 1 and September 30, 1,638 bed days were available for potential use, but only 659 were actually used – a 40.2 per cent utilisation rate.

It added: “There were also bed closures during this period (factored into the beds available) which proved challenging for case managers to source emergency beds in a time of crisis.”

The review, along with the fact that other contracts have been extended under the same circumstances, is also outlined in the report.

It states: “Further engagement work is required with service users, carers and relatives to determine the future model of respite, and to consider a variety of options that would meet individuals’ needs and be available for short breaks moving forward.

“This piece of work will also consider a maximum budget for respite.

“Additional engagement work has also commenced considering other local authority, namely South and North Ayrshire, arrangements and the possibility of aligning service delivery where possible and appropriate.

“While this exercise is being undertaken, approval is sought to continue in a
contractual arrangement with the existing provider.”

The reduced number of beds would still meet the needs of people using the service, it states, with the provider accepting the changes.

The report continues: “Through the feedback received and the research carried out, it is clear that innovation and flexibility needs to be built into the contract frameworks.

“Services need to be responsive and collaborate with the HSCP to best meet local priorities and the needs of individuals.”

East Ayrshire Council's cabinet considered the report on Wednesday, March 27.