Partner Article

Social care needs new ways of working

THE UK’s largest housing based care and support provider has welcomed moves in yesterday’s Budget to increase social care funding.

Home Group says an extra £2bn over the next three years to boost social care provision is welcome but not in itself enough to address the shortfall or tackle issues affecting the sector.

Instead NHS Trusts and Local Authorities need to look at more collaborative ways in which they can work with the not-for-profit sector.

Specifically tackling issues around delayed discharges would save taxpayer money, increase the availability of hospital ward beds and provide a speedier service for patients allowing them to return to their home more quickly.

Mark Henderson, Home Group chief executive, said: “It’s right that the Chancellor has allocated extra money for social care. It is clear Government recognises the need for greater collaboration between health and social care.

“However this increase in itself is not enough to tackle the challenges. With an ever aging population and increased financial pressures Government must look to new ways of working to address the predicted future funding shortfall of £2.6bn by 2020.

“Home Group was the first housing provider to join the Care and Support Alliance and together we’ve been vocal in highlighting the role supported housing can play in supporting NHS Trusts and local Authorities.”

Home Group operates a number of Step Down services which enable people who are medically fit to leave hospital when they have no-where to go or they’re awaiting adaptations to be fitted to their home.

Mr Henderson added: “We welcome a review into social care funding but it must be a review which then implements recommendations. We must avoid a process of consultation and committee without action.

“We’re keen to share our expertise with Government in their new review. We operate a Step Down service in Blackpool, which the Trust has estimated that in our first year of operation we’ve saved them £100,000.

“Extra funding for social care is clearly needed but only by looking at innovative, new ways of working will we be able to ensure social care works as smoothly as possible for patients and efficiently as possible for the taxpayer.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Home Group .