Shake-Up Planned For Home Care In Bath Area

Elderly and disabled people in the Bath area are facing a multi-million-pound shakeup of home care services.

Bath and North East Somerset Council’s cabinet is hoping to pass a £4.9 million scheme which will award contracts for the services to five independent companies.

A report shows that contracts are likely to be awarded to Agincare, Way Ahead, Care South, Care Watch and Somerset Care at Home.

The council says these deals will provide high-quality, cost-effective services and will improve standards of home care.

If the changes are approved, the council’s own staff will manage the first six weeks of care before residents are given long-term care by the private companies in partnership with the council and Bath and North East Somerset Primary Care Trust (PCT).

About 100 people currently employed directly by the council will be transferred to one of the new independent companies.

The proposals have been unveiled as the council’s cabinet tries to push through an annual budget on Tuesday which will see home help costs soar by 74 per cent for some residents.

Councillor Vic Pritchard (Con, Chew Valley South), the council’s cabinet member for adult social services, said: “This step represents an exciting new beginning for home care services across the district.

“Through the council working in partnership with the five companies and primary care trust we hope to offer services tailored to meet the care needs of our clients.

“The changes will be implemented with the maximum possible sensitivity to allow people to maintain independence in their own homes.”

Rhona MacDonald, chief executive of the PCT, said: “As we care for more people in the community, we need to ensure that we have flexible and responsive home care services and these proposals would enable us to deliver this.”

If approved, the council says the changes will be introduced following consultation with staff, unions and service-users, and their families.