Care-charge consultation

A MAJOR consultation looking at how much people should contribute to essential care services in the home has been launched.

Letters are being sent out by Oldham Council to residents who receive non-residential support such as personal care, or equipment such as stairlifts and handrails, about the new Fairer Charging Policy.

This support helps around 3,500 residents to remain in their homes and lead independent lives.

Choice

In future, people will have more choice and control over how their care needs are met. As a result, the council must consider changing how it calculates a person’s contribution to the cost of social care.

The proposed options aim to:

::Make charges fairer by asking each person to pay according to their means;

::Deliver a clear policy that is easy for people to understand;

::Ensure that nobody is asked to pay more than they can afford;

::Continue to provide the vital services and support that people need.

Councillor Jackie Stanton, cabinet member for adults and health, said: “There are always understandable concerns when charging policies are reviewed but I really cannot stress enough that this consultation is not about withdrawing or reducing any of the services people currently receive.

“The purpose of these proposals is to provide for consistency in how we charge people, based upon their circumstances.

“This will deliver a charging system that is fair and equitable for all our residents who need this kind of support, ensuring that nobody pays too much, or too little.”

The public consultation runs until January 4, 2011, and a number of focus groups have already been arranged.

A public event will also be held at the Royton Suite, Civic Centre, on November 23 (6-8pm).

Essential

Councillor Stanton said: “These are only proposals at this stage and your feedback will be essential in ensuring that citizens’ views are heard before any final changes to charges are approved.”

Residents can call a freephone number (0800-0327316) to ask questions, or email their queries to socs.fairercharging@oldham.gov.uk  

For more details go to www.oldham.gov.uk/chargingconsultation