Council agrees £6m healthcare investment

A MULTI-MILLION pound fund has been announced to improve the standard of healthcare across the borough.

Cheshire East Council has released £6 million in funds to be spent ‘locally’ across nine different schemes, covering areas such as ensuring there is a continued provision in care following a service user returning from hospital, better Bank Holiday and weekend support, and increased capacity and an improved range of specialist beds.

The funding was approved by the cabinet earlier this month.

Council bosses said the money will be used to meet adult social care needs, reduce pressures on the NHS, focus on the issue of delayed transfers of care; and ensure local social care providers are fully supported.

Councillor Janet Clowes, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for adult social care and integration, said: “The improved better care fund has been created to support some of our most vulnerable residents to provide better-integrated health and social care services.

“Getting this go-ahead today enables us to work with our partners to reduce the amount of time people need to spend in hospital and to provide the resources that will enable people to enjoy happier and more independent lifestyles within their own homes, which is a priority for Cheshire East and the NHS.”