Consultation by: Birmingham City Council
Birmingham City Council carried out a second phase of consultation on the future of its Residential Care Centres, following public feedback on the initial consultation. This phase included additional information, a Health Impact Assessment, and streamlined questions. Healthwatch Birmingham submitted a response to highlight considerations important to patients, residents, and carers.
Key Points from Our Response
Engagement and Consultation Process:
We welcomed the Council’s decision to re-open the consultation with clearer information and recognised the improvements made in accessibility and assessment, including the use of Health and Equalities Impact Assessments as working documents.
Impact of Preferred Option:
We reiterated points from our Phase 1 response and raised two further issues:
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If residents are moved, timing should be carefully considered to avoid periods of cold weather, winter illness, or increased infection risk.
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Continuity of care must be ensured during transitions, especially where residents have complex health needs and are supported by external health services.
Final Thoughts
We look forward to seeing how the consultation shapes the Council’s decisions and encourage continued engagement with residents and stakeholders throughout implementation.