The Council has decided to prioritize residents with progressive or terminal conditions like MND for home adaptations to ensure timely support and independence.

URL: https://democracy.westlancs.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=622

Decision Maker: Council

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose:

Content: The following Motion was moved and seconded.   "Council notes that: -            Motor neurone disease (MND) is a rapidly progressing condition – a third of people die within a year of diagnosis and half within two years. As the disease progresses, symptoms worsen and needs increase, often unpredictably. -            People living with progressive or terminal conditions like MND deserve to live in safe, accessible homes. They have the right to independence and quality of life in the time they have left. -            It is our council’s role to ensure that local people living with MND and other progressive or terminal illnesses are supported to access the home adaptations they need in a timely manner. -            Without timely support, people face becoming trapped in unsuitable and unsafe homes. This risks significant negative impacts on their health and well-being, including increased risk of avoidable hospital admissions and early entry into care. -            The MND Association has proposed a set of recommendations and highlighted examples of good practice in their report, A Lifeline Not a Luxury. -            One such recommendation is to speed up applications for the funding and installation of home adaptations. This would be hugely beneficial for people living with MND, who could live safely at home for longer, maintain their health and wellbeing for as long as possible, and remain engaged with their communities, family and friends. -            People living with MND do not have time to wait – every day is critical. This council recognises that people with progressive conditions should be able to apply for adaptations as early as possible following diagnosis, so that their future needs can be anticipated rather than responded to in crisis. -            This council also recognises that early interventions can save taxpayer money by enabling people to manage their condition more effectively and reducing the need for critical interventions at a later stage. -            West Lancashire Borough Council's current target timeframe is 83 working days for High Priority cases and 151 working days for Standard Priority cases, with longer timeframes for complex work. Council therefore: -            Supports in principle that residents living with progressive or terminal conditions such as MND should automatically be treated as High Priority for the purposes of home adaptation assessments. -            Requests that officers review current target timeframes for home adaptations. For residents with progressive or terminal conditions who are classified as High Priority, the aim should be to achieve the MND Association's recommended timescales of 55 days for simple adaptations and no more than 130 days for complex adaptations. -            Recognises that these targets should be seen as a maximum, and for many smaller adaptations such as ramps or stairlifts the expectation would be to move much faster. -            Requests that the findings of this review, including any recommendations for changes to policy, targets, or processes, be reported to the relevant committee as soon as practicable."   A vote was taken, the Motion was CARRIED.   RESOLVED:   A.    That it be noted that: (i)        Motor neurone disease (MND) is a rapidly progressing condition – a third of people die within a year of diagnosis and half within two years. As the disease progresses, symptoms worsen and needs increase, often unpredictably. (ii)       People living with progressive or terminal conditions like MND deserve to live in safe, accessible homes. They have the right to independence and quality of life in the time they have left. (iii)     It is our council’s role to ensure that local people living with MND and other progressive or terminal illnesses are supported to access the home adaptations they need in a timely manner. (iv)     Without timely support, people face becoming trapped in unsuitable and unsafe homes. This risks significant negative impacts on their health and well-being, including increased risk of avoidable hospital admissions and early entry into care. (v)      The MND Association has proposed a set of recommendations and highlighted examples of good practice in their report, A Lifeline Not a Luxury. (vi)     One such recommendation is to speed up applications for the funding and installation of home adaptations. This would be hugely beneficial for people living with MND, who could live safely at home for longer, maintain their health and wellbeing for as long as possible, and remain engaged with their communities, family and friends. (vii)   People living with MND do not have time to wait – every day is critical. This council recognises that people with progressive conditions should be able to apply for adaptations as early as possible following diagnosis, so that their future needs can be anticipated rather than responded to in crisis. (viii)  This council also recognises that early interventions can save taxpayer money by enabling people to manage their condition more effectively and reducing the need for critical interventions at a later stage. (ix)     West Lancashire Borough Council's current target timeframe is 83 working days for High Priority cases and 151 working days for Standard Priority cases, with longer timeframes for complex work.   B.    That residents living with progressive or terminal conditions such as MND be supported in principal and be automatically treated as High Priority for the purposes of home adaptation assessments.   That officers review current target timeframes for home adaptations and for residents with progressive or terminal conditions who are classified as High Priority, the aim should be to achieve the MND Association's recommended timescales of 55 days for simple adaptations and no more than 130 days for complex adaptations.   That these targets should be seen as a maximum, and for many smaller adaptations such as ramps or stairlifts the expectation would be to move much faster.   That the findings of the review, including any recommendations for changes to policy, targets, or processes, be reported to the relevant committee as soon as practicable.  

Date of Decision: July 15, 2026