A consultation has been launched seeking the public’s views on proposals to develop social care services for older people over the next five years.
Minister for Health and Social Care, Howard Quayle MHK, said:
'With increasing life expectancies, the Island boasts an ageing population; something we can be proud of as a key measure of a community’s quality of life.
'This does, however, pose challenges for our community in how we care for more people for longer. We must ensure that we have the right care, at the right time, in the right place. Our plans for the future of social care services for older people are important and so the wider community’s feedback is both welcome and valued.'
Recognising the growing demand for services, the Department began implementing plans to rebalance services for older people in 2012. This has seen a focus on creating more community based options for care, such as the creation of a Dementia Care Team, and providing additional support to help people to remain in their own homes and maximise their independence through the Reablement Service.
For those unable to live at home, the Department has strengthened residential provision with additional capacity in the south of the Island and through the construction of a new elderly mentally infirm unit – Reayrt Skyal – in Ramsey.
A document outlining commissioning intentions has been published as part of the consultation exercise. It sets out how the Department intends to provide, purchase and influence services to meet the needs and aspirations of older people for the period 2016 to 2021. It also identifies gaps in the current provision and the Department’s intention to address these.
Cath Hayhow, Director of Adult Social Care, said:
'Our proposals are aligned to the Department’s five year strategy and seek to help achieve a number of goals. For example, we wish to continue to develop care provision in the community and work in a more integrated way with health services.
'We also want to expand our Reablement Service to aid timely discharge from hospital, ensuring people have the support they need to return home and regain the skills they need to remain independent. As well, it is our intention to review our relationship with nursing care providers in the private sector and, with them, continue working to improve the quality of residential care.'
The consultation, which is available here, runs from 6 June – 18 July 2016.
