Councillor to look at changes to adult social care in Hampshire

Hampshire County Council held a consultation on four proposals to help save it money.

Executive member for adult social care Councillor Liz Fairhurst will consider the recommended changes following the 10-week consultation.

More than 3,000 people gave their views.

Cllr Fairhurst said: ‘The council’s funding from government has roughly halved in recent years, and with ongoing reductions in this funding we’re having to make difficult decisions about the services we provide.

‘When considering the recommendations, I will review the responses from the public, and ensure that any changes to the way in which adult social care is charged are appropriate and fair.’

Proposals include:

n Charging people for the cost of both of their carers, if they need two.

n Charging residents in council-run residential and nursing homes for periods of absence, in the same way that residents in private sector homes are charged.

n Taking into account the income a person receives from letting out their own home when assessing how much they should pay towards their care costs in a residential or nursing home.

Even if the three recommendations are approved, people who are assessed as being unable to afford to contribute anything towards their care will continue to receive their care for free.