Experts from the NHS Executive have praised Bradford's plans for looking after the district's elderly people over the Millennium bank holiday.

Troubleshooters from the Department of Health's Millennium Executive team visited Bradford to check what plans were in place to govern health and social care arrangements between Christmas and January 3.

They were highly impressed with the forward planning that had been carried out in the city, and the way Social Services had worked closely together with Bradford Health Authority.

"The team came to see us expressly because ours has been identified as one of the more robust plans - they consider it as an exemplar of good practice in this region," said Richard Longbottom, of Bradford Health Authority.

Health and social services have collaborated to produce a 120-page emergency care plan for winter 1999/2000 and the Millennium period.

It covers all aspects of health care but social workers are particularly keen to set down arrangements for care of the elderly who always need extra support in the winter months.

Philip Lewer, assistant director of social services who has special responsibility for services to elderly people, said: "The message is that it's business as usual - services are normal. It isn't a huge long holiday, it is two four-day Bank Holidays."

Day centres for elderly people will be open as usual on both Wednesday, December 29 and Thursday, December 30.

In addition, vulnerable service users are being identified and individual contingency plans put in place.

Officials are planning ahead and plan to issue vouchers to carers with which they can 'buy' respite care in nursing homes and buy in domiciliary care. Senior managers on call will also have the ability to draft in extra staff if required.

Mr Longbottom said: "This plan is the product of three years of planning which has paid dividends."

Mr Lewer stressed: "The service we offer to elderly people is a 24-hour-a-day, 365 days a year thing. We have a realistic plan but we have the capacity to alter it hour-by-hour, if necessary."

Representatives of all services dealing with elderly people will aim to offer support and work together to avoid the scenario of local hospitals becoming overloaded during Bank Holiday periods.

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