A PLAN has been published that aims to develop Cornwall’s care sector market to become more sustainable. Cornwall Council, in partnership with NHS Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, published the plan which looks at a range of solutions such as developing Cornwall’s social care workforce, the delivery of home care, and the development and modernisation of accommodation with care.

Cllr Andy Virr, Cornwall Council cabinet member for adult social care and health said: “This new plan is timely when both Cornwall and the rest of the country are struggling to meet the growing demands of an ageing population. The plan looks for a variety of solutions to increase the amount of care and support that is currently available. This includes how we attract more care providers that potentially create more care home beds, attract more staff, provide more extra care places that allow people to live independently but also have care and support available if they need it, and much more.

“We’ve also recently increased the amount of money we pay care providers to deliver services to allow staff to receive an increase in their hourly rate.

“We know the people who deliver care deserve to be rewarded for the excellent service they provide.”

Kate Shields, chief executive, NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board said: “The NHS in Cornwall is committed to working closely with our local authority colleagues to support the essential work carried out in Cornwall’s care sector. This is one of a range of initiatives we are working on to help prevent people from needing a hospital admission and to help them home when they are ready.”

Some of the actions to be taken include:

• Ensuring the council pays a fair price for the care it purchases

• Incentivising new or replacement development of capital infrastructure through strategic provider partnerships

• Working in partnership with the Housing LIN and the ICB to create a new supported housing strategy, which will set out our current market position and future priorities.

• Working with the ICB to stimulate capacity through geographical communities, including different rates to recognise travel costs in rural areas

• During 2023-24 the Council and the NHS will be working with the local domiciliary care market and stakeholders to recommission care and support at home services.

• Developing a new Intermediate Care Strategy and Policy intended to reduce risk and maximise positive outcomes. This will support more people closer to home in a personalised approach and aims to reduce demand for long term social care services.

By this month, the amount the Council and NHS Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly pay care homes and home care services will have increased by 10.4%. This includes all providers who have signed the joint contractual agreements and are compliant with