Posted on Wednesday 16th September 2020
Nearly 50,000 hours of home care is provided to 3,500 elderly and disabled people in Staffordshire each week.
Staffordshire County Council wants to increase the supply of home care, put the emphasis on innovation, and protect the care market from disruption.
The proposals, which have been agreed by the county council’s cabinet today (Sept 16), will also ensure that the care on offer represents the best value for money, and has the greatest benefit for local people in all parts of the county.
The new contracts will also mean carers can provide home care that meets people’s needs and improves their lives, reduces the number of delayed transfers of care from hospitals, and improves the recruitment and retention of staff to support a sustainable care market.
Current home care contracts are due to expire in August 2021.
County Councillor Dr Johnny McMahon, Cabinet Member for Health, Care and Wellbeing said:
“Demand for home care services is increasing, and the marketplace has proved to be remarkably resilient during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We want to ensure people lead live healthy and happy lives at home for as long as possible and we want to offer people both flexibility and choice in the care they receive.”
“People must be at the heart of every decision. By refocusing our approach and tailoring our procurement to get the best value for money in every part of Staffordshire, we can ensure that every person using health and social care will receive good quality, innovative services that promote their independence and lead to an improved quality of life.”