Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

The Older People's Futures consultation closed on 1 November 2010.

These frequently asked questions have been created to provide you with further information on the proposals for the future provision of older person’s services.

More questions and responses will be added to the site throughout the consultation.

Why, when and how?

• What is meant by ‘Consultation’?
• Why do we need to modernise?
• When will these changes happen?  
• How will these changes be achieved?
• Why are KCC closing homes when there is an ageing population? Surely it would be better to make the changes to the properties you have got.
• There are a number of high profile examples where KCC appear to be wasting public money. Surely savings could be made elsewhere?
• Private homes in our area charge considerably more than my relative’s current KCC home. How can maintaining current homes be more expensive than funding long term placements in these homes?

Which units and who is affected?

• Which units does this affect?
• Who does this affect?
• What will happen to the staff?
• What will happen to the current facilities and site?
• What factors were considered when deciding which homes to close and which to sell on?
• My relative is comfortable, happy and does not want to move. What considerations are being given to their feelings?
• What will happen about continuity of care?
• It is well documented that imposing such drastic changes on such a vulnerable group of people can have devastating effects. To what extent has this been considered?

Alternative care services

• What is Extra Care Housing?
• What alternative service provision is there?
• Are there adequate alternative services within the local area?
• What support would be available for permanent residents and their families in choosing an alternative placement?
• I receive respite care at a home proposed to change to extra care housing, what will happen to me?
• Is there enough space in other homes?
• We have looked for alternative day care facilities before and know that there are none available locally. What will happen to us and how far will we be expected to travel for alternative day care?

Financial support

• If KCC is currently funding a placement at a Local Authority home, would they also fund a placement nearer to the family in other parts of the UK?
• My relative is currently a long term resident at one of the KCC homes. Their house has not been sold and is on deferred payments which currently amount to a large sum of money. Would this arrangement transfer over on the same terms if they moved to a home managed by an independent provider?
• Our relative funds their day care/residential care themselves. As alternative care costs a lot more, what provisions will be made for them?
• Our relative’s care is funded entirely by KCC. To what extent will KCC fund alternative care?

Quality of care

• How do we know about the quality of other services?
• How can you ensure that the level of care provided by the private sector will be the same as the level of care that my relative currently receives?  
• An en-suite bathroom is not just unnecessary but completely unsuitable for my relative. How can this be a requirement that justifies the proposals?

Your view and progress on the consultation

• How do I make a comment?  
• I can’t attend the meetings, how will I know what’s going on and how do I express my views on the proposal?
• What’s the point of an expensive consultation when everyone knows that this is a done deal?  It’s clear that KCC are merely paying lip service to our concerns.  
• I’m extremely worried about how the proposal will affect my relative, can we have a face to face meeting to discuss her case? 

You can also view FAQs from staff at registered care centres (PDF, 32kb).