21/08/03 - More time for quality home care

Cumbria County Council is to ensure that all new home care packages involve visits of 30 minutes or more, responding to care users concerns over shorter visits. Home care involves help with washing and dressing, increasing independence for those living at home. From 1 September, all new packages of care will involve home carers visiting their clients for no less than 30 mins per session. The move ensures quality of service and gives carers more time to best meet the needs of their clients. County Councillor John Mallinson, Cabinet spokesman for Care and Social Services says.   

"I am pleased to announce that as a direct result of the County Council's policy to charge for home care, adopted last October, we are in a position to ensure that all of the people assessed as needing home care will get a minimum of 30 minutes care per visit, from 1 September. This is an increased cost to the Council, which will be met by income received from home care charging.   

I announced in May that the Council's substantial efforts to reduce delayed discharges from acute hospitals had resulted in a massive drop, leading to Government removing Cumbria from it's list of `hot spot' councils. Currently, we do not have anybody waiting for a care package because of lack of funding and this new move to increase the time given to each person increases the quality of service, highlighting our commitment to promoting independence and improving services for older adults in Cumbria."   

Current packages of care that include sessions of less than thirty minutes remain unchanged until individual needs are reassessed. However, anyone who feels that their assessment should be reviewed, can contact Social Services staff for advice.