THE homecare system needs a "radical" rethink, according to the boss of Age UK in Bolton.

Suzanne Hilton, chief executive of Age UK Bolton, spoke out after the publication of a damning report by Healthwatch Bolton into the system.

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She said that unless changes are made soon, problems outlined in the report will only continue.

Mrs Hilton said: "The report resonates with what we see here, in terms of providing services for and working on behalf of older people.

"But it's not just a Bolton issue, I think the whole home care sector in this country needs changes. I don't think it is Bolton Council's fault, it is symptomatic of what is happening around the country.

"I don't think as a country we value the profession of care givers, both financially and in terms of respect, which is quite difficult to deal with."

Asked if she was surprised by issues highlighted in the report, including people being left in wet clothes and being refused showers, Mrs Hilton said: "Not at all. We hear some really good stories of good quality care, but we do hear some of these examples as well."

Under the current system, Bolton Council commissions a wide range of homecare services from private companies, and services can also be given directly by companies to clients who do not qualify for local authority support.

However Mrs Hilton believes that because of the council's financial constraints, it is unable to pay the financial cost to fund care to the desired high standard.

And for Mrs Hilton, good standards of homecare should involve aspects such as compassion and competency, but she says that the home care system often means these are absent.

She said: "Unfortunately the way the business model works, is that very often one or all of these aspects are missing.

"I think we need to completely rethink it and hopefully the devolution of health and social care gives us that opportunity, and a chance to do something radically different.

"At Age UK we are really keen to be part of these conversations and part of the work to try and transform how home care is delivered."

Problems highlighted within the report, including people having various different carers, and carers not having enough time to spend with people, ring true for Mrs Hilton.

Healthwatch report into homecare in Bolton — the council response​

She said: "It needs to be somebody who people know and can trust. For people living with dementia it is hard enough to remember people who you they know, never mind carers who are constantly changing.

"We have got a perfect storm of rising demand for home care, but a reducing budget with which to provide for it.

"Carers do an amazing job in difficult circumstances, but unfortunately unless the way the model works, these examples will continue."