A report has found those living in Bolton had good access to health and social care services, with people positive about their experience of being discharged from hospital and moving between services
The Care Quality Commission (CQC), rated Bolton as good, in how well they are meeting their responsibilities to ensure people have access to adult social care and support under the Care Act (2014).
CQC has a new duty under the Act to assess how local authorities work with their communities and partners to meet their responsibilities.
The inspectors looked at nine areas to assess how well Bolton is meeting their responsibilities to create their rating.
Inspectors highlighted several areas Bolton is performing well including how social workers coordinated care efficiently, helping residents to regain their independence and making them feel more confident.
People reported feeling respected, involved and well‑supported throughout their care journeys, with social workers providing clear communication and person‑centred assessments.
Safeguarding approaches were praised for being sensitive, personalised and culturally responsive, with people feeling confident their privacy was respected.
However, staff weren’t always able to respond to safeguarding referrals and annual reviews in a timely way due to capacity pressures but managed the risks which could put people at risk. The Council were addressing these pressures through a dedicated review team, and recruitment of permanent staff.
The report also highlights the Council is enhancing coproduction across services and is looking forward to the people with lived experience panel shaping how we deliver services in the future.
These improvements build on strong foundations of governance, partnership working and a culture of continuous learning.
Cllr Sean Fielding, Executive Member for Adults and Community Housing at Bolton Council said:
“This report is a testament to the hard work of our Adult Social Care staff who, day in, day out, support our most vulnerable residents.
“The landscape in which Bolton Council operates, having suffered through more than a decade of budget cuts when demand for these services is rising, is extremely challenging. Our “good” rating is an incredible achievement set against this backdrop and I’m so proud of the team for securing it.
“Improvements to Council funding since the general election have enabled us to plan further investment in the service. With this we will provide more support for carers and additional respite provision. I’m delighted that the council will be delivering this in house too, with this service for older people expected to be up and running in the summer.
“Thank you once again to everybody for their contribution to securing this rating. I look forward to making even further improvements as we move forward.”
Rachel Tanner, Director of Adult Services (DASS), Communities & Integration for Bolton Council said:
“We are extremely proud of this report and our dedicated staff who ensure people in Bolton feel respected, supported and confident in their care.
“While the findings highlight many strengths, we remain focused on improving timeliness in key areas and expanding local options with our partners.
“Our commitment to people to Live Well is at the heart of everything we do, and we will continue building on these strong foundations with the people we support guiding the way.”