£758,000 shot-in-the-arm for carers

CARERS in Oldham are set to benefit from an extra £758,098 of Department of Health cash.

The extra funding has come from a total of £162 million for front-line services, announced yesterday by Health Secretary Andrew Lansley, following an efficiency drive within the NHS.

Paul Burstow, Lib-Dem Minister for care services, announced the Oldham total while visiting the Princess Royal Trust Oldham Carers Centre with Pensions Minister Steve Webb.

Mr Burstow said the money was to be spent before the end of the financial year on things such as relieving winter care pressures. NHS Oldham, the local primary care trust, and Oldham Council will now have to work together to identify where the money should be spent.

He added that social care services in Oldham would receive specific NHS funding of £3m in the next financial year.

He said: “The £758,098 will allow for things such as purchasing extra places in care homes or allow residents to purchase extra care packages of care in their own homes.”

The extra funding has been found by making savings in NHS consultancy, IT, administration and advertising, not through NHS job losses. Mr Burstow and Mr Webb were the latest Liberal Democrats to visit Oldham ahead of the January 13 by-election. During their visit to the centre in Phoenix Street, Mr Burstow said: “The Oldham Carers Centre is a beacon of hope for carers.” Councillor Jackie Stanton, deputy leader of Oldham Council, said the extra funding was much-needed.