Do nothing – continue to run Allison House in its present form

What would this mean in practice?

We would continue to own and operate Allison House. No changes would be made to the building or the arrangement for the delivery of care.

Cost

We incur the running costs of Allison House in perpetuity, including an estimated £0.5m for routine and cyclical repairs and maintenance. This is an estimate based on the amount required to renew aspects of the building that are coming to the end of their useful life and assuming that there is a need to extend the use of the building for an indefinite period. If there is a need only to extend the life of the building for a limited period, then this sum could be reduced.

Approximate timescales

Immediately, as it would be a continuation of the existing arrangement.

Assumptions

None.

Advantages

There would be no disruption to people as they would remain where they are.

Care would continue to be delivered by staff with whom they are familiar.

The staff in the home would not be affected.

Disadvantages

People who live in Allison House currently and in the future will not live in accommodation that meets modern expectations which could lead to a reduced quality of life. We would not have fulfilled our commitment to deliver a better offer to residents and replace our own care homes with capacity in homes that meet modern expectations.

The existing building would need significant investment and disruptive works to extend its useful life. In our role of managing the market, it may be problematic for us to seek to improve standards elsewhere in the market if we have taken the decision not to improve our own services.

This option does not take the opportunity to move people to a nearby new care home that meets modern standards. Experience shows that new homes generally become fully occupied quickly and we would have missed this opportunity. Whilst new care homes may be built in the wider area in the future, this is by no means certain.

Initial assessment

Doing nothing is not considered to be a desirable option as it does not deliver an improved service for existing and future people residing at Allison House.