New deal for home care

Residents receiving personal home care in Hammersmith & Fulham are being given more choice, thanks to a new council contract.

From October 1, when the current contract with Supporta Care (now known as MEARS) comes to an end, people receiving a personal home care service from the council will be able to choose which company provides it.

Residents will be able to have a choice of five other providers, subject to availability – Care UK, who already currently work in the borough, Sagecare Ltd, Health Vision UK, Jays Homecare Ltd and Breslin Health & Social Care – or can opt to receive cash from the council to buy their own care.

All residents receiving care will be contacted individually about these changes.  Residents who currently receive their care from Supporta will have their needs reassessed before any changes are made. The transition from Supporta to other providers will happen between October and March to make sure the move runs as smoothly as possible, so some residents will not see any immediate changes. For those who receive their care from Care UK there will be no need to change.

Residents who decide instead to take a direct payment from the council will be able to buy their care services from any organisation as and when they wish, giving them more control over how money from their care plan is spent.

The new four-year deal will create up to £650,000 worth of savings a year, which equates to £2.6million for the length of the contract.

Cllr Joe Carlebach, cabinet member for community care, said: “This new contract will not mean a change in the level of care our residents receive but it will bring about thousands of pounds worth of savings. Residents will be able, for the first time, to choose an organisation that works locally in their area and all residents will be visited by their new care worker before any changes are implemented.”