Council scraps 'high moderate' care support (From Messenger Newspapers)

Council scraps 'high moderate' care support

9:00am Thursday 27th September 2007

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TRAFFORD Council has confirmed it's changing the criteria for access to social care.

In future only service users whose needs fall within the "critical" or "substantial criteria" will continue to receive their services from the council.

"55 per cent of users completing the questionnaires stated they believed the council had considered all available means of making council services efficient and value for money."

Mike Cooney

It's estimated that between 800 and 1,000 of the borough's 5,090 social care service users will lose their "high moderate care support" when the new criteria is introduced on October 1.

The kind of services they have received range from home care, day care, meals on wheels, equipment and direct payments that on average cost the council about £78 per person each week.

Residents banded "high moderate" in other parts of Greater Manchester - including Bolton, Rochdale and Salford - continue to receive these services.

Messenger understands Trafford's executive member for adult social care, Councillor John Lamb, confirmed the decision on September 13.

It follows the conclusion of a public consultation on September 7, with 243 people returning questionnaires.

Mike Cooney, Trafford's corporate director of community services and social care, confirmed the overall feedback to the proposal was "no".

But he explained: "While we appreciate the worries of the people these changes will impact on, we have been reassured throughout the consultation period that there is an understanding of why these decisions have to be taken.

"Indeed 55 per cent of users completing the questionnaires stated they believed the council had considered all available means of making council services efficient and value for money."

The council says letters will be sent over the next couple of weeks to service users explaining exactly what will happen.

It's understood following the result of reviews, that will be carried out during the next few months, people will be advised of whether they remain eligible for a council funded care package or not.

Will you be affected by this decision?

Post your comments below or phone the news desk on 0161 908 3391.

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