Shropshire looks at adult social care bed charges
Shropshire Council is to consult on the rates it charges for nursing and residential beds across the county.
Earlier this week a new report was discussed by the council’s cabinet in a bid to make progress on a public consultation exercise to review and update the current rates levels.
The authority’s cabinet member for adult social care Councillor Lee Chapman explained: “The overall expenditure for adult social care in Shropshire is continuing to increase.
“There is an ongoing need to balance additional pressures due to growing demand, delivery of statutory services and demographic changes with sustainability and development of the care provider market.
“Expenditure for residential and nursing provision in Shropshire is the single biggest area for Shropshire Council adult social care and spends just over £50 million per year. The expenditure for beds for 17-18 was £33.3m (nursing care £17.7m, residential care £15.6m).
This excludes adult learning disabilities and mental health categories.
“We want to ensure future rates published and paid accurately reflect the costs of delivery of care, are transparent in the market place and deemed to be equitable by providers.”
Councillor Chapman, ward representative for Church Stretton and Craven Arms, said the consultation process would begin this month with questionnaires, events and meetings being carried out.
He also said he would reassure everyone in the county that it would be a thorough consultation exercise and the responses would be fully taken into account during the process.
The committee approved the report and it will now go to the consultation phase.
