Care hubs will 'revolutionise' sector - council

Dedicated care hubs are to be built in a multi-million pound move that North Yorkshire Council said would "revolutionise" care.

The council said the hubs would provide specialist dementia services and intermediate care, preventing hospital admissions and providing rehabilitation following a stay in hospital.

The development of services would help to address mounting financial pressures in adult social care, the authority added.

The council's executive approved a business case for up to five hubs on Tuesday.

A report from North Yorkshire's director of public health, Louise Wallace, estimated one third of the area's population would be aged over 65 by 2043, which the council said would increase the pressure on care services.

The authority said the number of people over 65 living with dementia in the county was expected to rise to more than 15,000 by 2030.

In December, Richard Webb, corporate director for health and adult services, said his department's financial position was "precarious" after an overspend of £7.7m was forecast.

Up to £60m is to be invested in the new care hubs, which would provide specialist care for up to 250 people at any one time and at a weekly cost which is lower than what the authority currently spends on care services.

The hubs would provide specialist residential care for people with advanced dementia, as well as support for people well enough to leave hospital but who still require bed-based care.

North Yorkshire Council's executive member for health and adult services, Councillor Michael Harrison, said: "We want to provide the very best care and support for people at key points in their lives, whether that's a hospital stay or a step-change in their dementia.

"The proposals to build the care and support hubs are a pioneering way to provide the specialist care that is needed and, at the same time, ensure the best value for our taxpayers."

Detailed plans for each of the hubs will now be developed.

They are expected to be introduced in phases, with the Harrogate and Scarborough areas getting them first.

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