Care Services Minister Ivan Lewis and Sir Michael Parkinson announce £3.8 million funding boost to Hoyland Extracare scheme

SIR Michael Parkinson and Care Services Minister Ivan Lewis MP visited Barnsley as part of a national dignity tour to ensure that all people using care and health services are treated with respect at all times. They also presented the proposed Bethel Street Extra Care scheme at Hoyland with a cheque worth £3.8 million.

Care Services Minister Mr Lewis said that with an ageing population, one of the most important challenges we face is making sure older people are treated with dignity and respect.

“The £3.8million for Barnsley’s Bethel Street Extra Care scheme will help create the kind of accommodation older people want, where couples can stay together rather than being forced to live apart and people with dementia are supported to remain in their own homes for longer. I look forward to seeing the improvements come to fruition,” he said.

The part-funding from the Department of Health will now enable Barnsley Council to proceed with a bid for the remainder of the funding from the Housing Corporation.

Extra Care housing gives people a home of their own where wide ranges of care and support services are provided on site. Tenants enjoy greater privacy, dignity and independence, couples can stay together, and social and leisure opportunities can be enjoyed at the resident's convenience. In addition, homeowners may be able to keep some of the equity in their property.

The Dignity in Care Campaign aims to inspire and equip people to drive up care standards and encourage people to become Dignity Champions, spreading best practice and giving advice to other health and social care workers. The Government wants to double the number of dignity champions to more than 3,000 by the end of the year and has recently appointed Sir Michael Parkinson as the first National Dignity Ambassador to help raise the profile of this important agenda.

Sir Michael said he was delighted to be in Yorkshire as part of the National Dignity in Care tour.

“What really inspires me about this campaign is that we can all contribute to make it a success,” he said. “Most of us will at some point be in contact with care services – be that in our work, or as a service user, a carer or a relative or friend. I would encourage everyone to help drive up care standards, whether that be by reporting poor care if we see it, or if we witness someone going that extra mile we should take the time to show our appreciation.”

ENDS