HALF of all home care services in York are set to be taken over by private firms following a council review.

Under the plans, three healthcare companies will take over services for about 450 older people across the city from early December.

Council bosses said the shake-up is planned to take account of an expected increase in the number of elderly and vulnerable people over the coming years.

Bill Hodson, director of housing and adult social services, said: "These changes are needed to meet the ever-increasing demand for home care services for vulnerable people.

"We will do everything we can to ensure that the changeover runs smoothly and that people are kept well informed of what will be happening.

"Wherever possible, we want to enable people to live independently, but where long-term care is needed, it makes sense to organise that on a localised basis."

Care provider York Helpers will supply services in the north-east of the city, Carewatch Care Services will cover the south-east, while Goldsborough Homecare will work in west York.

Social services chiefs at City of York Council say they need to plan for a 77 per cent increase during the next 20 years in the number of people aged over 85.

They also expect to see a 36 per cent rise in the number of older people with dementia over the next decade.

Council staff will continue to deal with new cases, but elderly people needing long-term care will be referred to one of the companies, depending where they live in the city.

The changes mean some old people will have different carers, but council chiefs say they want a smooth transition for people whose care providers are changing.

Coun Sue Galloway, executive member for adult social services, said: "The reorganisation has been necessary to reflect the changes which are occurring in society.

"More people are living longer and more are expressing a desire to remain in their own homes as long as possible. I am pleased that the changes elicited all-party support."

Last week, The Press revealed how the council's home-help service may in future be denied to people in "moderate" need, as pressures mount on the city's social services budget. Between 200 and 300people are classed as in moderate need and home-help provides assistance to them with washing, shopping, getting their pension, getting up in the morning and going to bed.

An Age Concern spokeswoman said: "The under-funding of social care and withdrawal of existing services is denying many older people the basic help and support they need.

"All older people should have choice and opportunity to access high quality care and support, when they need it.

"It is appalling that less money is spent on social care for older people per head than any other adult group, despite the over 65s being the biggest users of health and social care services. The Government must make sure that better standards of basic care are a priority in health and social care services and that there is the investment to deliver the services that older people need."