Ceretas News

Councils boost reablement services

Re-ablement services are being expanded significantly across England on the back of £648m transferred from the NHS to local authorities this year. 60% of English councils are expanding or setting up re-ablement services using money transferred from primary care trusts, making it the most popular use of the health money, Community Care Magazine has found. After re-ablement, the next most significant areas for investment of the NHS funds are telecare or telehealth services (34% of councils), prevention or early intervention (32%) and support to carers (32%).

Almost three-quarters of councils (72%) are using the money for adult social care only, while a quarter are combining spending on adult care with investment in children's social care or joint work with the health sector.

The findings indicate that councils are using the money as intended by the DH by investing in services that relieve pressures on the NHS.