New contracts provide quality care to help vulnerable adults live at home
With a continued focus on quality of care, Buckinghamshire County Council have this week awarded new contracts for care provided in people’s own homes.
The Council currently provides 15,000 hours of home care each week to some of the most vulnerable adults in the county. This is done through a mix of fixed and short-term contracts with many providers. With the new contracts there will be four main providers delivering care split across nine areas across the county.
The new contracts come into effect on 1st April and will be delivered by: Clece Care services, Prime Care, Simply Together and Westminster Homecare.
With fewer providers and through the introduction of specialist equipment that can, for example, make it possible for a single carer to manage personal care safely where previously two carers would be needed, the Council have estimated that they could save as much as £1.5 million per year. These savings also take into account the costs of the National Living Wage due to come into effect this April.
Mike Appleyard, cabinet member for Healthand Wellbeing, said: “We have over 1,500 vulnerable people in our county who need care and support at home. Our priority and our focus is to make sure we provide the highest quality service possible. That we can make savings, without cutting services, is an absolute bonus in the current financial climate.
“Our current providers, some of whom have been successful in winning the new contracts, have given an excellent service over the last five years and I would like to thank them for their commitment to keeping those who use our services safe and cared for.”
He went on to say: “We will be starting the transfers to the new contracts very soon, but full implementation will be phased over the next six months as we want to make sure the transfer goes smoothly and there is very little or no disruption for our service users.”