Increase in care at home providers in Edinburgh

The decision to increase providers who support older people and adults with physical disabilities living at home was taken by the City of Edinburgh Council's Finance and Resources Committee today (30 August).

The number of providers will increase from nine to 18 and they will be split equally across the city.

The new contracts will run for four years subject to provider performance and are the result of extensive consultation with service users, carers and the organisations involved.

The increase in providers, in addition to changes to the Council's own home care provision, is part of the response to the growing need for this service as the number of people living for longer and wishing to do so at home increases in Edinburgh. Home care services currently deliver 34,000 hours of support each week to around 2,000 people.

In addition to the external providers the Council's in house service will continue to support people through its pioneering re-ablement service and those who have complex care needs.

Councillor Paul Edie, Health Leader for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: "Increasing the number of providers in the city is great news as this will help reduce delays in providing care and support to those leaving hospital or living at home.

"With the expected increase in demand for home care services I am confident these new contracts, together with our in house home care and re-ablement service, will help us meet that requirement."

It is expected that the 18 new contracts will be come operational in October. Three current providers already being used by people are also being retained to avoid any disruption to their care arrangements which will increase the total number of organisations providing care at home in the City on behalf of the Council to 21 by the beginning of October.

The new contractors will be tied into accepting 70% of all referrals made to them. This is a new condition within the contracts which will increase the general capacity of the service overall.