Highland Council leaders have announced a U-turn on controversial plans to slash funding for disabled people.
The local authority’s ruling independent-led administration had faced criticism last week after proposing to cut £1.7million from adult social care.
It would have left NHS Highland facing a £7million budget hole due to rising costs and other commitments, and require a reduction in care packages for 90 people with learning and physical disabilities, and a review of all other support packages.
NHS Highland chair David Alston called for a rethink on the move on Friday, and last night the council’s leaders announced they would now be proposing investing an extra £1.174million for adult care, to be taken from reserves.
Mr Alston said: “I welcome the new proposal to fund adult social care services at the same level as last year.
“While this leaves significant cost pressures in this budget to be met by NHS Highland, it allows us to move forward in partnership with Highland Council.”
Council leader Margaret Davidson said: “These are financially challenging times for all of the public sector. Since making our budget proposals we have again met with our partners at NHS Highland, to discuss the funding for adult social care.
“The council and NHS Highland have agreed to work together on the vital job of building services in our communities to help prevent older people being admitted to hospital and then finding themselves unable to get back home.
“If we succeed at this task we will free up far more money to re-invest in services.”
