New Bucks home care contracts '˜will help council save up to £1.5million'

The council currently provides 15,000 hours of home care each week to some of the most vulnerable adults in the county.

This is done through a mix of fixed and short-term contracts with many providers.

With the new contracts there will be four main providers delivering care split across nine areas across the county.

The new contracts come into effect on 1st April and will be delivered by Clece Care services, Prime Care, Simply Together and Westminster Homecare.

In Aylesbury town and the Wing area Westminister Homecare will provide the service, a provider has yet to be named for Haddenham and surrounding villages and in Princes Risborough.

The council says that by using fewer providers, and by introducing specialist equipment which reduces 
the number of carers requred per visit, they could save up to £1.5million a year.

Mike Appleyard, cabinet member for health and wellbeing at Bucks County Council, said: “We have over 1,500 vulnerable people in our county who need care and support at home. Our priority and our focus is to make sure we provide the highest quality service possible. That we can make savings, without cutting services, is an absolute bonus in the current financial climate.

“Our current providers, some of whom have been successful in winning the new contracts, have given an excellent service over the last five years and I would like to thank them for their commitment to keeping those who use our services safe and cared for.”

He added: “We will be starting the transfers to the new contracts very soon, but full implementation will be phased over the next six months as we want to make sure the transfer goes smoothly and there is very little or no disruption for our service users.”