Cheshire East Council is to stop commissioning 15-minute home care visits.
The move was announced by the authority's leader, Councillor Michael Jones at a full council meeting today (Thursday, February 26th).
Charities and voluntary organisations concerned with older people have campaigned against 15-minute home visits, arguing that it is not long enough to provide proper adult social care.
The change will take effect from April 1st 2015 for new service users. The council will also be working with existing service users to rearrange their care plans and ensure that domiciliary care providers have staff in place to provide longer visits.
However, 15-minute slots will still be available if service users ask for them – for example if they need help to make a cup of tea or take medication at a particular time of day. This would normally be offered in conjunction with longer visits as part of the service user's care plan.
Councillor Janet Clowes, Cheshire East's Cabinet member in charge of care and health in the community, said: "There may be occasions when people want a 15-minute visit first thing each morning. But unless a service user requests it, we will not be commissioning care visits in 15-minute slots.
"It is not long enough to provide proper care with all the dignity and respect that our residents deserve."
Councillor Jones said: "These service improvements will require investment but we believe it is necessary to provide the standard of care that we aspire to in Cheshire East.
"This is another example of Cheshire East Council putting residents first and taking care of the people as well as the pounds and pence."
