Staffordshire Cares will tranform the provision and quality of care for people in Staffordshire

Major changes to care services announced at packed Council Chamber debate

Invited guests from the county's care sector also gathered to hear about the plans for Staffordshire Cares, the new vision for Staffordshire - and how it will fundamentally change the provision of social care and health across the County.

Members of the public and voluntary sector partners also watched from the public gallery. Hundreds more tuned in to see the webcast live from Stafford's County Council Chambers.

An ambitious three year implementation plan to transform adult social care was debated during the two hour event, which examined both National challenges and those currently facing the county.

"Staffordshire Cares is the new vision for adult care in Staffordshire," said County Councillor, Matthew Ellis, Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing.

"At the moment, people struggle to understand and access social care services or what is available to them. Our new vision means that will change with easy and obvious ways into the care environment in Staffordshire, and seamless working with our partners meaning people need not worry whether it is the County or NHS providing the service.

That's exactly as it should be. It's not about having a strict set of services that people fit around, it's about offering a lifestyle approach which joins things up and helps people take control of their lives so they can live life how they want to."

Amongst some of the Staffordshire Cares plans revealed and welcomed during the debate were:

• Staffordshire Cares Direct - A single countywide phone number providing a wide range of advice, information, signposting, simple assessments and 24/7 emergency contact all in one place
• Local information points across the county- offering advice and signposting to other forms of support
• One stop shops - access to a full range of face to face services and offering assessments
• Preventative Services - integration of front line services with the NHS and working closely with the fire service, police and others to help avoid people needing acute care in hospital or long term institutionalised care
• Marketplace - an easy to understand website directory of Staffordshire service providers, costs and quality reports to help people choose the support they want

Members who spoke at the debate pledged their own support and agreed that politics should take a back seat to help deliver this new vision for the benefit of Staffordshire's residents.

Representing the public were carers and people who use adult social care services themselves. Nicola and David Ingram suffer with arthritis. The couple are members of Arthritis Care - a user-led organisation which supports people with arthritis:

"We warmly welcome something that will improve access to minor aids and adaptations," explained Mrs Ingram.

"It needs to be a much simpler process. It can take so long to receive something, like a stair lift or a grab rail. These are the things that can make such a difference to someone's life and independence.

We also know there are lots of social opportunities around outside day centres, but it's getting to know about them that's the problem. Directing people to these sorts of activities is going to be really important."

Age Concern South Staffordshire's Chief Executive, Nick Maslen, was delighted to see the debate underline the important role the voluntary and community sector will play in the delivery of Staffordshire Cares.

 "It's not just about the voluntary organisations. It's the volunteers themselves who are the cornerstone of our communities. I'm sure the input of such an active and vibrant group of individuals will be embraced as we work together to improve things across Staffordshire."

County Councillor, Matthew Ellis was keen to emphasise the crucial role that carers played in supporting vulnerable people and announced plans for better respite provision in the future.

"In three years time, I hope we will see a genuine transformation in the provision and quality of care for people in Staffordshire. There are key objectives we need to get right and I will be announcing shortly a new commitment in the form of clear public pledges how we will improve the way we deliver services here in social care and health."

Social care and health staff were invited to afternoon briefing sessions on the new plans which were also streamed live to other venues across the county. Staff also had the opportunity to pose questions afterwards.

Further news concerning Staffordshire Cares are to be announced over coming weeks.

You can watch the debate online here.

Page Last Modified: 05/11/2009 10:12:47

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