A new ‘single handed’ approach to care in Dudley borough is giving residents greater independence within the home.

The new initiative, launched recently by Dudley Council, is looking at new ways to support people who receive care to improve their overall well-being and independence. It has seen the council invest in new and innovative equipment, such as hoists and specialist sheets, which make it easier for staff to deliver care.

Dozens of people have benefitted since ‘single handed care’ launched and, in many cases, the equipment is already helping people to maintain their mobility for longer, and have greater control of their movement as well as increasing bone density and strengthening muscles.

Evidence shows that the equipment is helping people to do more for themselves and is having a positive impact on people’s confidence and independence. It means that in many cases the support of one carer, rather than two, is now often all that is needed. 

This offers a more personal and dignified approach to care, ensuring an individual does not feel crowded and feels more in control of their own life. It also creates capacity for care workers to support other people in need of care. Councillor Nicolas Barlow, cabinet member for adult social care, said:

“Dignity in care is something we champion in the borough and being able to give people more independence in their own home is one of the key ways we can help achieve this.

“Anecdotally, people are already telling us that our new approach to their care is having a positive impact on their personal well-being. We will continue to roll our approach out across the borough.

“One of the great benefits of this approach is that on some occasions where we would have traditionally needed two carers, the support of one carer is more than sufficient.  This is great news for us as we know residents are happy because they feel more in control of their own lives and it means we can free up staff time to visit other residents and carry out other essential duties.”

The new initiative has received praise from other local authorities, which are looking to adopt a similar approach to care within their own areas.

Single-handed care is one of a raft of measures introduced by the council since the government awarded it £13.9million as part of the national £2billion Improved Better Care Fund last year to tackle increasing pressures on health and social care services.