Absolute Care Limited: Notice to remove from Approved Provider Framework for Home Care Services

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A decision made 19 March 2018:

Decision Reference: MD-HSS-2018-0011
Decision Summary Title :	Approved Provider Framework (Home Care) Provider Decision		Date of Decision Summary:	9 March 2018
Decision Summary Author:	Quality Assurance Officer		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:
Written Report Title :	Absolute Care Ltd.		Date of Written Report:	9 March 2018
Written Report Author:	Quality Assurance Officer		Written Report : Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Subject: Provider status on the Approved Provider Framework (Home Care)
Decision(s): The Minister has given 6 months’ notice in writing to remove Absolute Care Ltd. from the Approved Provider Framework for the provision of Home Care Services and during the notice period Absolute Care Ltd.’s Approved Provider Framework status will be ‘provisionally approved’ meaning that they cannot accept new clients in receipt of funding from the States of Jersey. Clients in receipt of Long Term Care Benefit or funding from Health and Social Services will transfer to other ‘fully approved’ home care providers.
Reason(s) for Decision: Section 6. of Absolute Care Ltd.’s Approved Provider Framework Agreement states that “Either Party may terminate this agreement voluntarily by giving not less than 6 months’ notice to the other Party”.
Resource Implications: The 6 month notice period will allow the transfer of clients to alternative care provision.
Action required: Communication to Absolute Care Ltd. regarding decision and implications. Implementation of the Care Home and Home Care Agency Closure Multi- Agency Policy to ensure the appropriate transition of clients to alternative services.
Signature:		Position: Minister for Health and Social Services
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

Absolute Care Limited: Notice to remove from Approved Provider Framework for Home Care Services

Absolute Care Limited

Ministerial Decision Written Report

Background

In July 2014 the Social Security Department (SSD) introduced the Long Term Care Scheme. Concurrently, the Health & Social Services Department (HSSD) introduced the Approved Provider Framework (Home Care) to ensure improved standards for care being provided in individuals’ homes. Accordingly, any client who receives funding from the States must use an Approved Provider to deliver their assessed care needs.

Approved Provider Framework Status History

Information regarding the Approved Provider Framework status of Home Care Providers is publically available on the Jersey Online Directory (www.jod.je). Absolute Care Ltd.’s status history is:

16 December 2016 initially ‘fully approved’
21 November 2017 ‘provisionally approved’
7 December 2017 ‘fully approved’ status regained

Agreement Termination

Section 6. of Absolute Care Ltd.’s Approved Provider Framework Agreement states that “Either Party may terminate this agreement voluntarily by giving not less than 6 months’ notice to the other Party”

Recommendations

It is recommended that under Section 6 of the Approved Provider Framework Agreement, the Minister gives 6 months’ notice in writing to remove Absolute Care Ltd. from the Approved Provider Framework for the provision of Home Care Services. It is further recommended that for the duration of the notice period Absolute Care Ltd.’s Approved Provider Framework status is revised to ‘provisionally approved’ meaning that they would not accept new clients in receipt of funding from the States of Jersey. Clients in receipt of funding from the States of Jersey will transfer to other ‘fully approved’ home care providers in accordance with established protocols.