The UK’s fastest growing care at home franchise Bluebird Care has welcomed Government plans to help keep up to 280,000 people out of residential care for as long as possible.

 

If the Government Bill becomes law, those with the most pressing care needs - including older people and disabled adults – will be offered professional help to carry out essential basic tasks such as dressing, getting out of bed and making breakfast in the comfort of their own homes.

 

The proposals were contained in a Personal Care at Home Bill, unveiled in the Queen’s Speech - the Government’s legislative programme for the coming year - at the opening of Parliament yesterday (Wednesday). HM The Queen said the Bill would “enable the wider provision of free personal care to those in highest care need”.

 

Speaking on BBC Television’s Working Lunch, Bluebird Care Franchise Director Simon Dalziel said: “Care is about choice and most people prefer to stay in their own home for as long as possible, rather than being moved into a residential home. Their families often prefer this option as well.”

 

Petersfield-based Bluebird Care, which has 63 offices across the UK and Republic of Ireland, now provides around 45,000 care visits a month – a growth of 105 per cent on last November.

 

The company is on target to recruit 25 franchise owners in the UK and a further eight in the Republic of Ireland during 2009. In November 2008 there were 41 offices, which has risen to 63 this month and a 54 per cent growth in network size.

 

The Bill, which will only come into force if Labour win the next general election, is designed to spare the elderly the ordeal of losing their home in order to pay for nursing help or residential care. Care at home would be free to many, but would be means-tested and those with savings over £23,000 would get part-funding only.

 

Bluebird Care customer Martha Price, who employed a carer after developing problems with her hips, said: “The help I receive is vital. I couldn’t get dressed or out of bed without the carer. They also try to take me out for a walk and give me a bath.”

 

The Government proposals are designed as an “interim measure” ahead of plans for a National Care Service, a new authority designed to run alongside the National Health Service providing comprehensive nursing support for the elderly and disabled. The proposals will be set out in a White Paper in the New Year.

 

If approved, it will be jointly funded by the Departments of Health and Communities, with the £670 million cost being met by cuts in Whitehall advertising, communications and administration.

 

Bluebird Care has retained its position as the UK’s fastest growing provider of care at home with a turnover of around £12 million, it revealed at its annual conference in the Midlands earlier this month.

 

The company specialises in working with people requiring health care and their families, alongside Social Services, GPs and Primary Care Trusts. Bluebird Care also offers live-in support for people who would like, or who need, a greater level of care provision.