Council to step in and provide nursing care
Up to 200 people who need nursing care in Stafford and South Staffordshire will be accommodated in two new homes.
In plans agreed by Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet today, the authority is proposing to build two new nursing homes in the areas where the council experiences the most difficulties in sourcing placements.
The homes will be owned by the county council, but operated by a traded company or external care provider. They could provide between 120-200 additional care home places.
With a decreasing number of nursing homes available, the county council is stepping in to ensure that nursing care is available to the rising number of old people who need it.
County Councillor Alan White, deputy leader and cabinet member for health, care and wellbeing said: “Supporting an increasing ageing population care is an issue for the whole country, but particularly impacts on larger counties like Staffordshire. We estimate that by 2039 there will be an extra 50,000 people aged 75 or over, and the cost of care for these people is soaring.
“Both Stafford and South Staffordshire are areas where we have the most difficulties in sourcing placements, and where the rising cost of new admissions is the greatest. By building these homes, we can increase capacity and offer good quality, cost-effective placements to meet people’s needs.”
