New care scheme to help

9:14am Monday 12th May 2008

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A NEW care scheme to support people with mental health problems, and their families, has started in Herefordshire.

The pilot scheme has been introduced by Herefordshire Council and Herefordshire Mental Health Services, which have contracted SureCare Hereford to provide a service to allow people to stay in their own homes rather than be in hospital or residential care.

SureCare’s team of helpers will give intensive support to a person with mental health problems to cope at home after being discharged from a stay in hospital, or when their regular carer is ill or needs a respite break.

Their job will be to help the person gain confidence and independence in their personal care, cope with general household tasks and become involved in the local community. The specialist service is initially offered for six weeks.

SureCare has 40 groups across the country with 62 trained carers working in Herefordshire.

Most of its work has been providing home care for older people and its move into helping those with mental health problems in Hereford is a first.

Angela Gilchrist, SureCare’s operations manager, said “Our care support staff are highly trained in specialist care and our excellent reputation in Hereford has resulted in us being successful in this latest contract bid.” As well as the help of Sure Care Hereford staff, people will also have support from a physiotherapist, occupational therapist and speciality community nurse.