A DECISION to plough £2 million into developing new technology to help the elderly in Worcestershire has been endorsed by councillors.

Worcestershire County Council has voted in favour of launching a radical new project to link up with private technology firms to hunt for new solutions.

Back in November this newspaper revealed how bosses at County Hall wanted to reduce the growing numbers of elderly people needing residential care by teaming up with the private sector.

Under the plan, it will work with innovate technology companies to develop new gadgets allowing people to stay at home for longer, instead of putting them in nursing homes.

The council has agreed to formally vote the spending through, despite some warning about investing in venture capitalism.

Councillor Simon Geraghty, the new county council leader, said: "Clearly, we need to be looking at how we innovate and this seems a good and sensible use of resources.

"It's exactly what an innovative and forward thinking council should be doing."

Other councillors said they were happy to go ahead with it, with the scheme drawing praise from the opposition Labour group.

Councillor Peter McDonald, Labour group leader, said: "I welcome any investment to help in the care of old people, and I support this.

"My only concern is that the £2 million will no doubt help the profitability of these private firms - if we kept this in-house we could do it ourselves rather than help profiteers."

Labour Councillor Pat Agar said: "On the face of it, spending £2 million represents an innovative approach while supporting the economy.

"But we should be cautious. Venture capitalism is notoriously risky, so we do need to make sure the process is robust.

"Isolation is just as great an enemy to elderly people's health and well-being as anything else could be."

Councillor Sheila Blagg, the Conservative cabinet member for adult social care, she said understood the points about risky venture capitalism.

She added: "Fundamentally, this is about setting aside £2 million so the directorate can work with partners to develop and identify new technology."

The move is a response to Worcestershire's serious demographic pressures, with one in five of the county's population aged over 65 now - and those numbers are forecast to rocket from 120,000 to 141,400 by 2021.

More than 3,500 elderly people live in care home settings and increasing numbers of over-80s need more intensive personal visits from nurses, adding to a financial burden which is rising by £1.8 million a year.

With the adult care budget in excess of £137 million the council wants to tackle the pressures head-on.

Financially, they hope the £2 million investment will help save a targeted £5.2 million in care placements.