Agenda item

5.1

Sylvia Parry, representing Stocksbridge and Upper Don 50+ Group and Stocksbridge Community Health Forum, raised questions and responses were provided as follows:-

(a)       Has the City Council responded as part of the consultation on the Government’s ‘Caring for Our Future’ plans and if so, could a copy of the response be made available?

The Chair stated that he was not sure if the Council had responded as part of the consultation, but would check with Councillor Mary Lea, Cabinet Member for Health, Care and Independent Living.

(b)       Members of the above groups were very concerned that the Council’s Adult Care budget had been cut, and were querying how best they could help to support people who may now receive less care at home.

The Chair confirmed that the budget had been cut, but stated that if people were struggling to fund the care they received in their homes, they could request a review of their care package.  In addition to this, the Council provide advice on how people could maximise their income in terms of benefit entitlement.

(c)        When do you think that the Council’s Social Care and Health Service Care will be joined up to provide the best care for those who need it?

The Chair stated that it has always been the aim of both the Health and Social Care elements of the Health sector to work together in order to provide the best care for those who need it.  He added that if there were continuing problems, the Committee would request a report on why progress was not being made to improve the links between the two elements, and highlighting any problem areas.

(d)       Will the new area structure be able to report to this Committee on how care and health issues for older people were being dealt with as the Community Assemblies previously did?

The Chair stated that as the Local Area Partnerships were in their infancy, he was not in a position to respond, but would refer the question to Councillor Mazher Iqbal, Cabinet Member for Communities and Inclusion.