£15 million funding increase to help older people regain their independence

Devon County Council’s (DCC) cabinet has supported a £15.15million increase in adult social care funding for 2017/2018 to help older people regain their independence following NHS treatment.

The money was announced in the spring 2017 Budget as part of a national directive.

In total £30.34million will be provided over three years through the Better Care Fund.

The £15.15milion for the first year was agreed in principle at DCC’s Cabinet Meeting on June 14.

This money is additional to the extra £18.7million allocated to adult care and health in February 2017 and will now be considered by the New Devon and South Devon Clinical Commissioning Groups.

Part of the money will be invested into Devon County Council’s Reablement Service, helping people to get back on their feet and regain their independence after being discharged from hospital.

This will help service users gain the confidence and skills to enable them to continue to live in their own homes for longer.

The extra funding will also be used to reduce the numbers of delayed transfers of care, including transfers between hospitals and residential homes.

Money will also be invested into NHS commissioned out-of hospital services which would include support for the disabled and for those with mental health conditions.