Where have we got to?

We have been writing to you – the users of our home care service and your families – for some time now to explain the proposed changes.

After a long and detailed process Bath & North East Somerset Council has shortlisted the following five companies to provide home care in the area:

• Agincare
• Way Ahead
• Care South
• Carewatch
• Somerset Care at Home

In recent years home care has been provided by both the Council’s in-house team and independent providers.

Now it is intended that the Council’s own staff manage the first six weeks of care (called the Intake Assessment & Re-enablement Home Care service) and that new providers provide the long-term care – in partnership with the Council, the Primary Care Trust and with each other.

The Council is committed to providing a quality service to help you maintain your independence in your own home, and these proposed changes are about making sure that continues to happen.

 As we proceed, some of you might see a change in your individual carer – but not all of you. You may find you still see the same carers.

The Council are making these changes to ensure that we can provide a responsive and flexible service that meets your needs in the future.

Demand for home care is rising and it is important that we have the right services in place to meet that demand. All the providers would work together with the Council and PCT as a team to make sure the best possible service is delivered.