B&NES elderly care review

The way Bath and North East Somerset Council looks after elderly people in their own homes is about to be reviewed.

The review is being carried out by the council's Healthier Communities and Older People Overview and Scrutiny Panel following concerns that the system is not working as it should.

The panel is made up of a cross party group of seven councillors who have been monitoring home care since 2008 when five outside organisations were commissioned to provide home care.

Earlier this year the panel asked for views from members of the public about the possibility of a future review into home care and a steering group, headed by Councillor Eleanor Jackson (Lab, Radstock), is now undertaking the review.

The review will focus on the home care provided by staff who go into resident's homes to help with personal care and domestic tasks, including waking, sleeping nights and 24 hour care.

The review will investigate whether the service providers are meeting their contracted conditions and are providing the best possible service for clients under the new tendering arrangements.

The study is also intended to demonstrate that B&NES is prepared to look after its own practices and ensure that commitments made at the time of the change are met but is not intended that it will lead to the resumption of services by the council itself.

It takes places between November and January when the panel will be calling for a written views and information from local residents involved with the services.

Those providing the care will be taking part in informal sessions to understand the key issues for staff and case studies will also be used to loom at users and providers experiences of the home care service.

The panel also wants to hear from members of the public, carers, home care staff and those who use home care services.

Mrs Jackson said: "Councillors like myself constantly hear from elderly people for whom the new system is not working. I want to know if this is just a problem peculiar to rural areas like my ward, if these are isolated cases and if all five providers are operating to the same standards across the council area."

"We also want to hear of examples of good practice so that these can be taken as the norm."

Anyone who wants to share their experience of using home care services can get in touch, in confidence if they prefer.

Comments can be sent via email to scrutiny@bathnes.gov.uk or in writing to the Overview and Scrutiny Team, Bath and North East Somerset Council, High Street, Bath BA1 5AW. Alternatively service users can call the Overview and Scrutiny Panel on 01225 394456.