Home care move defended

Government isn't trying to shirk it's responsibilities.

So says the Social Care Minister as his department sets out the first stage of its move to outsource home care services.

The idea is to allow elderly people to stay safely in their own homes for longer, rather than being moved into residential care.

The department has now issued a prior information notice so interested parties can gain an insight into what is required to deliver the service.

Chris Robertshaw says they're not just trying to hand the problem on to someone else.