Care ‘Credit Cards’ Set To Cut Costs

Vulnerable and sick residents will be offered a new care credit card by Harrow Council in a move which is expected to save £100,000.

The new Tory administration is introducing care credit cards for 5,000 people who need care in the borough and is the latest cost-cutting measure that the council says will give residents “more control over care services while also making the system more cost-efficient”.

Paul Marinko, a spokesman for Harrow Council, said: “The person will be given the amount of money they are entitled to and the system will be that the bank will then be notified and that information will be passed on to them and then the person will then receive their payment.”

The new cards, which will be protected by a pin number, are due to be introduced in July but the council would not confirm how much this scheme has cost to implement.

Cllr Eric Silver, portfolio holder for adult services at Harrow Council, said: “Nobody has to take this card up, but if you have the money then you can choose where you want to get care from.”

Not only will the move mean the council gets all the information related to social care payments electronically, it will also allow residents accessing care services more freedom over how they receive them.

Mr Marinko added: “The council is controlling this and if there are any problems people will be able to go to the council in the same way as they do now.”

Harrow is also encouraging residents to take up the opportunity of direct payments for social care. Although the service – which means residents eligible for social care payments can receive the money directly and decide for themselves how to spend it – has been available for several years, only 150 people have signed up to it. The council wants to double take-up in the next 12 months, potentially leading to a saving of around £100,000 a year.

Cllr Eric Silver, said: “We are determined to ensure every penny we spend on behalf of Harrow residents is spent efficiently. Initiatives such as these are vital to us achieving this.”