Disabled service gets £500k boost

A service helping pensioners and people with disabilities in Powys is set to receive a major overhaul thanks to a £500,000 cash boost, say officials. Powys Community Equipment Service supplies items such as hoists to bedridden people, and helps them continue to live in their own homes.

The money from the Welsh Assembly Government will be used to improve storage facilities and buy equipment.

The service is funded jointly by Powys Council and Powys Local Health Board.

Powys Community Equipment Service provides about 10,000 specialist items a year to up to 3,000 elderly and frail people, and those with disabilities.

A spokesman for the project said: "The Welsh Assembly Government has given a one-off grant of £500,000 to the initiative to improve storage and cleaning facilities and to make sure equipment is delivered to peoples homes as quickly as possible."

At present, the service is run by a number of different organisations such as the Britist Red Cross, with differing levels of service across the county, said officials. The extra money is expected to "improve access to equipment" and help provide a more consistent service across the county.

The service spokesman added: "We are also determined to move away from a postcode lottery with deliveries and services based on need not location, and improve our out of hours and weekend operations."

A consultation process with users will be held over the coming months, with changes expected to be in place by October 2008. Age Concern Cymru said it welcomed the investment as research showed that the "majority of older people prefer to stay living in their own homes whenever possible".