PLEDGE WATCH: THE number of people in fulltime care has dropped by 15 over six months as Swindon Council pushes to meet Promise 30.

The promise is to reduce the number of adults requiring long term institutional care by 20 per cent over the next five years, freeing money to spend on home support. Coun Ian Dobie, (Con, Haydon Wick), cabinet member for social care said through Promise 30, the council was responding to people wanting to avoid going in to a residential care home until absolutely necessary.

He said the programme to reduce the number of admissions into care homes meant giving older or disabled residents more support in their own homes and their community.

"This is a long-term project to improve the quality of life for individuals in a variety of differing circumstances by being flexible and offering ever more choices," Coun Dobie said.

"We have made good progress and are on track to deliver on the promise we made to the people of Swindon."

The number of older and disabled people receiving support in the community from services and arrangements commissioned by Adult Social Care has grown to over 4,000. That includes more than 70 people receiving direct payments letting them purchase and tailor their own care packages, up by more than 20 in the past year.

From August 2005 to January 2006 the number of people supported in independent sector care homes dropped by 15, which is on target to meet the council's long-term goals.

In a joint programme with the housing section, external partners and Government funding, the council is expanding spaces in extra-care sheltered accommodation.

The expansion has meant new facilities being opened at The Ridings with Kennet and Guinness Housing Association.

Garret Court is expected to open soon.

The Telecare project the Primary Care Trust is up and running to connect more vulnerable older people to phone and other emergency monitoring.

The council's recently refurbished rehabilitation facility for older people leaving hospital opened last month at Langton House, Wroughton.

It was a joint project between the town's council, Swindon PCT and Great Western Hospital.

Pledges

EACH week the Swindon Advertiser is looking at a different pledge, studying the reasons behind the promise and assessing progress.

  • The first 15 pledges centre around "your council" and the way it serves Swindon.
  • Pledges 16 to 28 focus on "your culture, leisure and learning" with targets including improving school exam results and building a library.
  • Pledges 29 to 34 cover social service issues under the heading "your children, your family the people who matter".
  • Pledges 35 to 44 are about "your town", looking at town centre regeneration and improving other areas of the town.
  • Pledges 45 to 50 are about "your communities," covering crime and recycling.