Councillors have agreed a plan they say will help reduce the need for long term care for elderly and disabled people in Lichfield and Burntwood.

Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet has agreed changes which it says will provide a more personalised service, as well as helping to give the authority best value for money.

More than 2.5 million hours of home care is provided to 5,500 elderly and disabled people across the county each year.

But the council says current arrangements mean there can be variations in the approach across different areas.

Cllr Alan White
Cllr Alan White

County Councillor Alan White, Cabinet member for health, care and wellbeing said: “Demand for home care services is increasing nationally, and in Staffordshire we are tackling similar challenges.

“We want to ensure people lead live healthy and happy lives at home for as long as possible and we want to offer people both flexibility and choice in the care they receive.

“People must be at the heart of every decision. Now we have agreed this refocused approach, we can look to end any disparities seen across different areas of the county, and tailor our procurement to get the best value for money in every part of Staffordshire.

“This will ensure every person using health and social care will receive quality services that promote their independence and lead to an improved quality of life.”

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