Welfare Reform on the Web (January 2010): Social care - UK - community care

Evaluation and value for money analysis of a new telecare service from a user perspective

G.E. ap Dafydd, J. Roberts and K. Doughty

Journal of Assistive Technologies, vol. 3, Sept. 2009, p. 43-49

A robust and comprehensive evaluation of the telecare service in Gwynedd showed high levels of service user satisfaction and a perceived service value which indicates a willingness to pay up to £35.00 a month for a package without a dedicated response team. In the current recession, telecare services will not be able to survive without an element of user charging. The most appropriate approach to development of sustainable services may involve the pooling of health and social care budgets topped up with payments from users.

Peterborough offers clients a choice

M. Ahmed

Community Care, Nov. 19th 2009, p. 26-27

Primary care trust Peterborough NHS, which is responsible for commissioning adult health and social care in the city, has ended block contracts for domiciliary care, housing support, rapid response and re-enablement. Under the independent living support service, users can choose from 41 approved providers who have been assessed for quality, competence, training and safeguarding. They can also change providers, or choose one not on the list.

Supporting People and the future of housing-related support

J. Eliot and N. Hamilton

Housing, Care and Support, vol. 12, Sept. 2009, p. 30-35

The removal of the Supporting People ring fence in April 2009 creates a significant risk that vital services for vulnerable people will suffer as funding is diverted away from preventative services to other priorities. The successes of the Supporting People programme need to be preserved as the ring fence is withdrawn.