- 03/07/2018
- Posted by: Lesley Griffiths MS
- Category: News
A specialist fund which supports the integration of health, social care and housing has received a multimillion pound boost from the Welsh Labour Government.
The Integrated Care Fund will receive £105m over the next three years to help deliver more joined-up care closer to home and help build homes to support people to live independently in their own communities.
The fund previously received £10m a year and Wrexham’s Assembly Member, Lesley Griffiths, has praised the latest Welsh Government intervention.
The Integrated Care Fund was set up to help health boards, local authorities, housing partners and the voluntary and independent sectors work together in order to support the older generation, people with learning disabilities and children with complex needs due to disability or illness.
Appropriate housing can support people to maintain their independence and can provide the right environment for people leaving hospital – reducing delays in discharging patients. It can also support older people, people with dementia or learning disabilities, or complex needs, and enable social services to provide them with more effective care. All of this can help the NHS and social services operate more effectively.
The £105m capital funding is in addition to the £50m announced in April this year.
Lesley Griffiths AM said: “This significant investment will not only help people live the lives they want to lead but can also help alleviate pressures on both health and social services. The collaborative approach is key and can ultimately make the services more sustainable.”
“Along with the appropriate care and support, developing homes that are suited for older people, people with dementia or learning disabilities, or young people with complex needs can help individuals maintain their independence and remain at home. This in turn avoids unnecessary admissions to hospitals or residential care and delays when someone is due to be discharged from care.”
“The three year programme will allow the relevant bodies to work together and I hope Wrexham residents will benefit from the investment.”
