More than £2.5m to deliver care closer to home and help people to live independently in Western Bay area

18 Mar 2019 01:42 PM

Housing and Local Government Minister Julie James has announced more than £2.5m of funding for projects to improve care and support services across Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend.

The funding allocation includes: 

• More than £650,000 for specialist equipment and assistive technology to support early hospital discharge, prevent hospital admissions and support people to remain safe in their own homes
• More than £620,000 for the development of specialist supported living schemes in Bridgend and Neath Port Talbot
• More than £200,000 to relocate and transform the Children’s Home in Ty Nant in Swansea
• £270,000 to refurbish a ward at Tonna Hospital in Neath, to ensure the Integrated Autism Service has close links with mental health services
• £285,000 towards the costs of development of Bridgend Wellbeing Hub which will provide multi-agency prevention and wellbeing support
• More than £560,000 to create new accommodation for the Integrated Autism Service, Neuro-Developmental, Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services and Multi-Agency Placement Support Services within Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board.

Julie James yesterday said: 

“Our three-year Integrated Care Fund capital programme aims to better integrate health, social care and housing, because we know homes can make a difference to our health.

“The right housing can support people to remain independent, or provide the right environment for people leaving hospital, reducing delays in getting people home. The programme is beginning to support this objective but I want it to feature more housing which supports people’s health and social care needs in the future.

“As well as this, the right kind of support in our hospitals can improve care, and help people return home sooner. We know our health and social care services face long term pressures, and this programme can also support investment which will help them to operate and integrate more effectively.

“It is vital that people receive the right support when they need it, whether they are older people with complex needs and long term health conditions, people with learning disabilities, children with complex health needs, or carers.”

Councillor Rob Jones, Leader of Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council chairs the Western Bay Regional Partnership Board. He yesterday said:

“We welcome this additional investment which will enable us to deliver more sustainable services that better meet people’s needs. Through bringing local partners together, Western Bay’s innovative, integrated services are making a real and meaningful difference to people’s lives.

“2019 represents a time of great change for us as a partnership as the Health Bound boundary change comes into place and Bridgend leaves to join the Cwm Taf region on 1st April, but all partners remain fully committed to delivering services of the highest possible standard”.