Adult social care in Hertfordshire to be purchased online

The county council have announced proposed changes to adult social care, by allowing people to choose and buy online the services they need.

Hertfordshire County Council has joined with service provider Serco to create the Heath and Community Services Department which will be an online tool allowing people to choose the care and support they get for their specific needs.

The council hopes to redesign the way people can access care services with the new online service, where people can find the health and social care and equipment available from different organisations all in one place.

Colette Wyatt-Lowe, cabinet member for health and adult care, said people who get support from the council will not notice any difference in the service they receive.

She added the plans are designed to give people more choice and control over their care services.

The service will be introduced later this year and people will be able to go online and pay for the care they need with their own money or with funding from Hertfordshire County Council.

The council hopes that the changes will save it £3.405m per year from 2012/2013 onwards.