Future of Home Care Services

Healthwatch Newcastle worked with Newcastle Elders and Newcastle City Council on home care services.  They held an event which 57 people attended.

There were certain overarching themes that emerged from all the groups and throughout the discussions. Access to information was seen as key but there was little consensus as to where and how this could be obtained. There were significant concerns about whether it would be available at the right time and in the right format. Personalised advice and support was seen as essential – from the starting point of assessment through to the delivery and experience of receiving care. Continuity, consistency and reliability were seen as major considerations alongside continued contact with a key worker. Those of knew of the Community Response and Rehabilitation Team and Reablement Service were very positive of this service and saw it as a model for the future. 

There was a widespread feeling that independent living in a home of one’s choice is a common aspiration, so services should enable this wherever possible by provision of aids and equipment as well as personal care. However most people also recognised that home care workers have to be well trained, adequately paid, and able to provide a reliable and trustworthy service. 

Overall the main conclusion was that there are 57 varieties of views about home care but only one main brand, and that is person centred care. However these findings have to be seen in the context of reduced funding for adult social care and, particularly with the current government, a changing relationship between the individual and the state. Although payment for care was not the primary issue under discussion, it was obvious that many participants had an expectation that health or social care would provide for them should they require personal care and support to remain in their own homes. The warnings given recently by sector leaders that funding shortages will result in more unmet need and service failings does not appear to be shared by ordinary people in Newcastle.