Complex care provision shake-up planned

COMPLEX care provision across Dumfries and Galloway is set to be overhauled in a bid to cut huge healthcare debts.

The region’s Integration Joint Board (IJB) is facing a funding shortfall of nearly £58 million this financial year, which means there will be drastic cuts to health and social care that will impact elderly and vulnerable residents across the region

With £12.5m of this funding deficit relating to services delegated to Dumfries and Galloway Council, proposals have now been drawn up for a major review of complex care in the region.

The council is now proposing to invest £447,000 in a “spend to save” move, which is expected to reduce operating costs by millions each year.

A report on the matter will be tabled at the council’s enabling and customer services committee next week. It reads: “Direct care provision accounts for £11.2m of the £12.5m projected 2025/26 overspend on services delegated by the council to the IJB.

“Initial reviews have indicated that there are clear opportunities for significant savings to be achieved through undertaking a detailed review of all care packages.

“This proposal seeks investment in additional staffing resources to allow these reviews to be undertaken.”

The council’s chief finance officer and chief executive are proposing that £447,000 is taken from the council’s change fund cashpot and then invested in appointing five additional social workers for 18 months.

The work they do and the overall review of complex care provision is hoped to save around £7.2m per year.

The council report states: “While the achievability of the full £7.2m target savings from this review is uncertain and will only be clarified as the reviews are undertaken, savings at this level are considered realistic.

“The savings target of £7.2 million equates to an average reduction across current packages of 19 percent.”

It continues: “Consultation with people receiving care and their families will be a key part of the review process and social work staff will work closely with them to help them understand any proposed changes in care and the rationale for this.

“This process will be needs led and strengths based enabling a thorough consideration of needs with individuals and families to determine how these needs are met appropriately and efficiently resulting in a reduction in costs.

“Frontline social care staff will all be given information to provide to people and their families to advise them of how to seek further assistance and escalate any concerns they may have.”

Councillors will be asked to approve this spend to save investment next Tuesday.