Health and care workers set to start new projects
21 November 2008 00:00 in Medical Government/ NHS related news
Health and care workers have announced funding for new social projects.
As part of Social Enterprise Day, care service minister Phil Hope said six schemes will share a £450,000 grant to establish new services to help the elderly, disabled and homeless.
The projects will form part of the government's Innovation for Life Challenge Fund, which has been set up to promote commissioning of innovative health and social care services.
Schemes receiving the fund are Gateshead council, Bristol city council, NHS West Midlands, Birmingham city council, Croydon PCT and Croydon council and Kent county council.
Phil Hope said: "Social enterprise can support the development of vibrant services that improve patient care."
He continued: "For this to happen, PCTs and councils need to work together to encourage social enterprise."
"This funding supports innovation in organisations that are committed to improvement," he added.
Social enterprises are businesses with community-focused and environmental aims, with well known examples including The Big Issue, Cafe Direct and Jamie Oliver's Fifteen.
In other news, 13.5 million pounds has been pledged to improve health in disadvantaged areas, according to public health minister, Dawn Primarolo.
Of the money, 11 million pounds will be used for the Communities for Health scheme - with 2.5 million pounds for the Healthy Communities project.
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