Issue - meetings

To consider the Assistive Technology Charging Policy.

The committee considered a report on the consultation on the Assistive Technology Charging Policy. The Council would like to develop the current service by increasing the number of people who would be able to access it, and the range of devices they would be able to obtain to address their care needs more effectively. Prior to implementing any change, a review was undertaken in respect of the charging structure for the service.

The report considered consultation feedback received from stakeholders in respect of the proposal that people aged 85 and over who live alone would be charged £5 per week for the Assistive Technology Service. This would be the same levy as for all other users of Assistive Technology and would allow the service to be sustainable in the longer term and be accessed by additional vulnerable people. This would be subject to users being able to ask for a financial assessment which would check their ability to pay.

In response to questions and comments from members in respect of whether the new system would be fairer for all, would it be sustainable, missing data around the success or otherwise of the population health approach and whether it would be a saving or false economy, officers reported that:

·         Assessments would be proportionate and based on the ability of people to pay; if they can’t afford to pay, they won’t as the Care Act states it’s about “fairness and equality”.

·         If there was no charge implemented for those who currently received the service for free there would be a chance that those who did pay for the service would see an increase.

·         There had been no change in emergency hospital admissions for 2019/20 for Cheshire East in respect of falls; this was below the English average. Future work to prevent falls in the first place would be considered.

RESOLVED That the Committee:

Agrees to implement the consultation proposal that people aged 85 and over who are living alone are charged £5 per week for the Assistive Technology Service. This would be the same levy as for all other users of Assistive Technology. This will be subject to users being able to ask for a financial assessment, which would check their ability to pay. People with a cognitive impairment will be appropriately supported in this process.