Falkirk HSCP Service Reform Consultation Deadline

The Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) (which is responsible for local social care services) is seeking to close a £21m budget gap over the next 3 years, reflecting the current financial landscape across the public sector. Covering a range of services delivered by Falkirk Council, NHS Forth Valley, community organisations, and providers, the budget affects social work, care at home, learning disability support, alcohol and drug support, GPs, mental health, and other areas.

Seeking to close a £21m budget gap over the next 3 years, the HSCP have put forward a public consultation (including an online survey) asking members of the public and local service providers for their views on proposals involving changes to how services are delivered, increased service charges, and some reductions in the level of support available. Alongside the set of 15 budget saving proposals, the HSCP is also consulting on a new set of eligibility criteria which outline when social care support will be provided and what support will be available. Furthermore, people are being asked what they would like to change or stay the same if these services are to be adapted to become financially sustainable.

Through the online survey on Participate+ (linked for your convenience), people can respond to as many or as few of the proposals as they wish. The HSCP also plan to engage directly with communities, with sessions booked in local libraries and with community groups.

The consultation is open until Tuesday 25 February, with feedback and views to be presented to the Partnership’s Board in March, allowing its members to make an informed decision to finalise the budget.

Changes proposed include:

• exploring alternative overnight sleepover support
• expanding the mix of organisations delivering care and support at home
• the removal of non-pay related increases to providers
• working with voluntary and community groups to redesign the way third sector support is funded in future years

The Partnership is also seeking to:

• increase charges for social care, applying a 5% increase to council-owned care home fees
• an increase to meal costs at Housing with Care Properties
• removing means testing for the Mobile Emergency Care Service to charge everyone a flat rate of £5 per week

The combination of these increased charges will bring the maximum people will pay for non-personal care and day care to £50 per week for those aged under 65 years old, and £33.60 per week for those over 65.

Elsewhere within the consultation, service reviews are proposed covering the Partnership’s administrative functions, housing with care services, out of hours services (including telecare and the Mobile Emergency Care Service), care homes, community bedded care units, and short breaks for carers and people with disabilities.

For further information, including how to submit your response, please visit the HSCP website.