Residents across Dorset receiving support in their homes have been given a helping hand thanks to an innovative project, which has successfully reduced the waiting times for care packages.
Working with the Dorset Care Association, Home Care Forum and providers, Dorset Council has reduced the waiting time to just 4.5 days compared to 28 days in July, offering a better service to Dorset residents and creating greater efficiency for providers while boosting the economy.
The Optimisation approach that has been trialled across the county identified the opportunity for collective optimisation of existing capacity.
To help identify areas of opportunity for optimisation, Dorset Council developed an interactive map (GIS system) to showcase:
- The met demand by provider and client postcode.
- Home care requirements by client postcode.
- Demand being met through recovery focussed services.
- Demand being met by off framework providers – historical business by providers who wouldn’t normally do business with the local authority.
The project has led to:
- More care hours to be delivered, without an increase in operating costs, meaning more people have their care needs met and providers can increase profitability.
- Providers’ ability to make changes to care packages faster, with delegation of authority to complete annual reviews which allows for greater flexibility to ensure the package meets the needs of the Individual.
- A simple, faster brokerage process that reduces administrative demand on providers and ensures Individuals receive the right care in a timely manner.
Cllr Jane Somper, Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care, Housing and Health, said the project had provided benefits for residents, providers and the local authority: “The needs of residents are being met quickly and efficiently and the project has cut the risk of late visits, providing people with surety and a greater degree of independence.”
Care providers have backed the initiative. Anna Knight, Dorset Care Association development lead, said she welcomed the project and could see its benefits: “We are highly supportive of this project and the projected and confirmed outcomes that have already been delivered. I have been regularly updated with data and have also been able to understand the approach, the reasoning and the autonomy that it is able to give to providers to make appropriate and safe decisions relating to the delivery of hours to clients.
“This is a really positive and joined up way of working and it is clear that DC and the providers are on a new and improved journey in approaches, listening and involvement.”
Lorraine Maher, Eleanor Care regional manager, said she had been impressed with the project: “’It is a pleasure to be part of such an innovative project with the Dorset council.
“The new and improved system allows for people to receive care and treatment in more timely manner with a more effective brokerage process,” she added.
Notes to Editors
To find out more information about our Home Care Optimisation work – Market Sustainability Plan for Dorset – 2023 to 2025 – Dorset Council
