Thousands of Dorset residents have received support from the county’s Better Care Fund over the past year.
The fund enabled 824 home adaptations to help people live safely and independently, provided 7,500 referrals for volunteer assistance such as cleaning, food shopping and transport, and saw 1,400 technical devices installed in homes.
Councillors heard that while the fund performed well overall, it did not meet targets for reducing emergency admissions and residential care placements. The county’s health and wellbeing board was told that targeted initiatives will continue into 2026 and 2027 to address these areas.
Sarah Sewell, head of service for commissioner for older people, said there will be a strong focus on neighbourhood health plans and community support in the coming year, linking with nursing and reablement services.
Sam Crowe, head of housing, communities and prevention, told the meeting that the challenge is ensuring all the work connects effectively, with new guidance from the Health Bill expected to help.
Sam said the council should look at how community work can be better joined up with NHS partners and make the best use of local assets.
He added that there is an opportunity to be more creative and to ask how schemes are working together.
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