People in Harrogate are to be asked for their views on changes to adult social care policies in the face of major cuts in Government funding.
North Yorkshire County Council has proposed a review of the eligibility criteria for social care, in a move which would bring North Yorkshire into line with almost every other local authority in England. It is also proposing to make some changes to the charges that people pay for community-based social services for adults, including increasing the amount that some people contribute.
Two public consultation events to discuss the proposals and to gather the views of local people will be held.
Cedar Court Hotel, Park Parade, Harrogate, between 1pm and 3pm, and 6pm and 8pm, on Wednesday 9 October 2013
Booking is not necessary, although the council is encouraging people to register their intention to intend, so it can ensure there is sufficient space. Places can be booked online at www.northyorks.gov.uk/socialcareconsultation, by calling the customer services centre on 0845 8 72 73 74 (Minicom 0845 603 6391), or by sending an email to customer.services@northyorks.gov.uk
County Councillor Clare Wood, the Executive Member for Adult Social Care said:
The changes upon which we want to consult the public are things which in an ideal world we would prefer not to have to make,”
But we are obliged to live in the real world, and very significant financial savings are required of North Yorkshire County Council as the Government tackles the economic deficit.
Having said that, we are absolutely committed to the maintenance of the very best adult social care that we can fund.
For example, North Yorkshire has a wide range of very successful measures in place – ranging from automated ‘telecare’ devices for individuals to large extra-care housing developments incorporating state-of-the-art support both for residents of the apartments and for others – which help to ensure that people are enabled to avoid the need for social care wherever possible.
In addition, our reablement programme has been hugely successful in looking after people who have undergone hospital or other NHS treatment, and has helped very many of them to avoid having to return for even more treatment.
We should also remember that the Government is proposing a national minimum threshold similar to the current ‘substantial’ threshold within the next few years in any case.
The council’s proposal to raise the threshold for social care intervention from “moderate needs” to “substantial needs” would bring North Yorkshire into line with 87% of all other local authorities in England.
More information and a consultation questionnaire can be found at www.northyorks.gov.uk/socialcareconsultation
