Kirklees Council is transforming its adult social care services as pressure continues to mount following the Covid-19 pandemic.
The sobering effects of the pandemic, particularly on the district’s older population, are set out in a council document. More than 13,500 people have been less steady on their feet since the start of the pandemic, and a further 3,600 are no longer able to manage basic daily living or personal care tasks in the way that they previously could.
It goes on to state that 16,000 older carers have been less confident letting paid professionals into their homes since the start of the pandemic. In addition, 12,000 carers cannot walk as far or are feeling more pain since the pandemic.
As a result, pressure on adult social care services is increasing, with an additional 200 referrals each year, compared to three years ago, and a growing number of complex cases.
To identify ways to improve outcomes for Kirklees residents, the council appointed consultancy firm Newton’s. Councillors discussed the outcomes of this work and suggested plans to transform services at the latest Cabinet meeting.
The plans include a two-year transformation programme that will ultimately seek to prevent, reduce and delay demand across the health and social care system in line with the council’s Vision for Adult Social Care. By the end of the two-year period, the council believes a saving of up to £13m will have been made.
The focus would be on effective and timely resolution of care needs; more people benefiting from wellbeing and preventative services, increasing the number of people who could benefit from care at home and maximising the use of assistive technology, equipment and housing adaptations.
The council is aiming to help people earlier and therefore reduce the demand for long-term care provision.
Cllr Jackie Ramsay, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care said: “Working with people to make sure they can live well and independently is a core feature of our Vision for Adult Social Care. We want to promote well-being, independence and safety thereby reducing, delaying and preventing the demand for long-term, intensive care.
“We will build on our work to enable people to be experts in their own care and wellbeing, to help them to choose a mixture of support that will achieve the outcomes that matter to them.”
