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Intermediate Care Fund (ICF)

Published: 16/01/2015

The success of a one year fund to support new or additional Intermediate Care services, and to encourage integrated working between local authorities, Health and other partners, will be discussed by the Council’s Cabinet on Tuesday (20 January). Intermediate care services are provided to patients to help them avoid going into hospital unnecessarily, to help them to be as independent as possible after discharge from hospital, and to prevent them having to move into residential or nursing homes until they really need to. The Welsh Government set up an Intermediate Care Fund (ICF) for 2014/15 and Flintshire County Council has been leading the management of the fund on behalf of North Wales. Flintshire’s bid was based upon a consistent focus on enhancing services for people with dementia. Through the Fund, several projects have been delivered successfully in the county in the last year, most of which have a focus on supporting people in the community. These include investing in step down approaches for people who are ready to come out of hospital but who need some more support in the community before they can return home. The Fund has enabled intermediate care step down beds within three care homes (Llys Gwenffrwd, Marleyfield and Croes Atti). A bed has also been provided at Ty Cerrig, Caergwrle, to allow for a community based dementia assessment. In the community, the fund has allowed for specialist dementia care to be extended. The fund has also supported close working with the voluntary sector including Flintshire Care and Repair, who have specially trained staff to provide practical help for people with hoarding tendencies, so that they can return home safely after a hospital stay. The ICF has also been used to support the introduction of better housing options for older people. Councillor Christine Jones, Cabinet Member for Social Services, said: “Flintshire is recognised as leading the way on dementia care, with services such as dementia cafes, specialist extra care housing and quality home care support. I am extremely pleased that the Intermediate Care Fund has enabled us to provide additional support and facilities, and that it has allowed us to build on our partnerships to ensure more enhanced services for all residents.”