£9 million announced by Welsh Assembly to provide care, support and dignity is “Great news for older people wishing to remain living in their own homes”

7th October 2010

Finance Minister, Jane Hutt, has announced that £9 million funding has been granted to the Gwent Frailty Programme predominantly as part of the Welsh Assembly Government Invest to Save initiative. The funding will provide vulnerable older people with streamlined care at home.

Care & Repair Cymru has welcomed the news, and highlighted the critical role of housing in the Gwent Frailty scheme.

" Our long experience of providing services to older people  living in their own home tells us that this is the environment they prefer to be in while receiving healthcare and other support. It makes perfect sense, in that it will reduce hospital admissions, result in shorter stays in hospital for those who are admitted, save money, while giving older people services they prefer"  said Chris Jones, Managing Director of Care & Repair Cymru.

"Care & Repair services already aim to help older people live  independently in their own homes in comfort, safety and security for as long as possible. Naturally, we therefore welcome this announcement which is also about increasing independent living. We will discuss with the Gwent Frailty Programme how Care & Repair Services can help the Programme, for example by undertaking repairs, adaptations or other tailor made solutions that will make an individual's home environment appropriate for the delivery of health and care packages"

The Programme aims to:

  • bring together professionals to make sure there is access to the right person at the time needed;
  • co-ordinate communication so that people have one key person to guide them through the system and be the main point of contact;
  • deliver the right level of response that can change according to how much support is needed at any particular time;
  • help people remain independent;
  • deliver care in or close to home and avoid unnecessary hospital admissions; and,
  • deliver efficiency savings of approximately £1 million per annum.

ENDS

For more information please contact:

Vera Brinkworth, Care & Repair Cymru

Tel: 029 20576286   Mobile: 07776 307116

 

Notes for editors:

Care & Repair Cymru is a voluntary sector organiSation with charitable status.  It is the national body for Care and Repair in Wales, and the "Older People's Housing Champion".  http://www.careandrepair.org.uk/

 

The 22 Care & Repair Agencies give all Wales coverage, providing a range of services to help older people with repairs and adaptations to help make their homes safer, warmer and more secure.  Improving the energy efficiency of their homes also helps reduce fuel bills."