Paul Burstow, MP and Minister of State (Care Services), praised the role of Home Instead Senior Care in creating choices for elderly people as he formally opened the company’s franchise office covering the London Borough of Sutton on Friday, 23rd July. The event was also attended by Tom Brake MP.
Speaking as he formally opened the Sutton office, Paul Burstow talked of the ‘unbelievable gift’ of being made care services minister and of the commission launched earlier in the week to come up with a recommendation as to how we pay for care.
Commenting on the work of Home Instead Senior Care, he said: “What Home Instead Senior Care is doing is playing an important part in creating choices. Giving people a real sense of control is what it’s all about. This is a good initiative and I am looking forward to seeing it roll out.”
The Sutton office, which opened in March, was Home Instead’s 50th office in the UK (the company’s current office count stands at 60). The office is owned and run by Tony Ward who previously worked in the life assurance and pensions industry. Having experienced difficulties accessing good quality care for his elderly mother, Tony decided on a change of career direction and wanted to do work which would benefit the local community.
Also attending the event was Home Instead Senior Care CEO Trevor Brocklebank who said: “We were honoured to have such a senior government figure as Paul with us for the opening. It was encouraging to hear him speak about the commission and the government’s desire to quickly come to a recommendation as to how we pay for care and the need to strike a fair balance.”