Extra cash to meet social care ‘challenge’
A YORKSHIRE council is having to invest an extra £1.25m in support for the elderly, amid ongoing concerns at the pressures on the social care system.
York Council is next week set to commit an extra £800,000 of its budget as well as a £457,000 government grant to boost its support for vulnerable residents.
It will be spent on efforts to keep elderly and disabled people out of hospital or make sure they are discharged as soon as possible if they are admitted.
Part of the investment will be used to extend a falls prevention service, which offers free home safety visits to people in some parts of the city.
Council chiefs say the scheme has helped to reduce injuries and the release of funds would see the service expand into other areas.
Coun Carol Runciman, the authority’s executive member for adult social care, said: “This report demonstrates our commitment to supporting our residents with care needs.
“Over the past few years a number of initiatives we have put in place are having a real impact in helping people live more independently. With an ageing population, the health and social care system faces challenges.
“The significant investment that is planned will enable us to extend those schemes and measures we have put in place to reduce delayed transfers of care and alleviate the system pressures within health and social care, making a real difference to the lives of our residents.”