New way forward for adult care services

Council bosses have approved the next phase of work on shaping the future of adult social care services in Bury.

Cabinet members have voted unanimously to proceed with developing a new organisation to deliver these services which provide fundamental support to people with disabilities, older people and carers.

This option, recommended by a detailed options appraisal and feedback from customers, carers and staff, is to develop an alternative service delivery model. The other options under consideration were closure and privatisation, which the cabinet dismissed.

The next stage is to develop a detailed business plan of how the new organisation would operate. This will have to be agreed by councillors before a final decision is made. Customers, carers and staff will receive regular updates throughout the next phase of work.

Councillor Rishi Shori, deputy leader of the council and cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “This is by no means the easy option. There is a lot of work to be done in the business planning phase but I am confident that we can make this happen. It gives the services a positive way forward in otherwise uncertain times and I think people will see that and commit to creating a new future.”

ENDS

Press release issued: 9 October 2014.