NHS bosses terminate deal caring for vulnerable over swingeing funding cuts

The Bradford District Care Trust is terminating a formal agreement with Bradford Council to provide support to 165 people at home, as well as day services for people in the district with care needs.

The decision will mean a new provider will have to be found from April to take over the contract worth £8 million in 2010-11.

Chief executive Simon Large said the move had not been taken lightly. He said: “The council has cut funds by 21 per cent to frontline mental health services over the last 12 months. We have not been able to reach agreement with the council on how these savings will be made. It is therefore necessary to hand back management of these services to our partner in keeping with the terms of the agreement.”

Coun Amir Hussain, Bradford Council’s executive member for adult services, said: “We will work closely with the care trust, service users and their families to make sure the transfer is as smooth as it can be and those affected by the changes are supported and kept informed about the transfer plans.

“Everyone who has an assessed need for services will continue to receive appropriate support, but the provider of supported accommodation and day services will change and we are planning the commissioning and procurement processes now with the care trust.”