Meeting documents
Cabinet
Wednesday, 6th November, 2002
APPENDIX THREE
New DoH Care Standards Guidance
Briefing Note
The Government has issued a "Proposed Amended Environmental Standards Consultation Document - August 2002" in which the following changes to the old standards are suggested.
Standard One
1.1 Remains the same
1.2
Instead of "a brief description of accommodation and services provided" in a combined bullet point the new standard asks for "a brief description of the services provided" and a separate bullet point asks for " a detailed description of the accommodation and communal space provided"
1.3 Remains the same
Standards 2 to 19 remain the same.
Standard Twenty
20.1
The old requirement to provide 4.1 sq metres communal space per resident is to apply to new build and 1st time registrations only as opposed to all homes (pre existing homes had till 2007 to achieve this)
20.2 and 20.3 remain the same and include a requirement to provide outside space that is accessible to wheelchairs.
20.4
As long as homes continue to provide at least the amount of communal space they did as at 31 03 02 they will meet the suggested new threshold BUT they must make it transparent in their brochures the space they actually have (in other words they must make it clear they are failing to meet the ideal standard).
20.5 to 21.2 remain the same
21.3
The requirement for 1 bath to 8 residents is to apply to new build and 1st time registrations only.
21.3a
New standard. As long as homes continue to provide at least the amount of baths per resident they did as at 31 03 02 they are fine BUT they must make it transparent in their brochures the ratio they actually have (in other words they must make it clear they are failing to meet the ideal standard).
21.4 to 22.1 remain the same
22.2
This standard adds stair/chair lifts to achieve accessibility to communal space as opposed to just ramps and passenger lifts. Again pre existing homes are asked to set out in their brochure the type of lifts available in the home.
22.3 to 22.4 remain same
22.5
Doorways to be 800mm only applies to new build and 1st time reg. (NB the DDA appears to require 900mm irrespective of new or old build)
22.6. to 23.2 remain same
23.3
Floor space requirement. Pre-existing homes to provide at least the floor space they did before 31 03 02 and make it transparent in their brochures.
23.4 (to be deleted)
This was the requirement on homes for single rooms to reach at least 10 sq mtrs (or 9.3 if sufficient compensatory communal space existed) by 2007.
23.5 to 23.10 remain the same
The change in 23.11 applies to shared rooms which Bath and North East Somerset has none of except for couples.
Standards 24 to 38 remain the same.
NOTE:
Standard 24.2 requires single rooms to accommodate a 900mm bed, comfortable seating for two people, a table to sit at, a bedside table, a wash-hand basin (if no ensuite) and at least two accessible double electric sockets.
None of the rooms in Bath and North East Somerset homes meet this minimum standard. It is possible the requirement to extend the room size in the original standards was linked to the goal of rooms being able to accommodate the furniture suggested under 24.2.