A CONSULTATION into removing 24-hour-a-day on-site staffing at five sheltered housing schemes, including one in the Ribble Vally, began yesterday.

Lancashire County Council is looking at using telecare, alarm services and a roving team of night-time carers instead.

The schemes included in the consultation are Plessington Court in Longridge. , Parkside Court in Morecambe, Beck View in Lancaster, Torentum Court in Thornton Cleveleys, and Croft House in Freckleton.

The consultation, which will run until November 18, will give residents and their families, and other groups the opportunity to share their views.

The county council currently pays for a care worker to be based at each of the sheltered housing scheme 24 hours a day. It commissions a number of providers to deliver this service.

The proposal is that a care worker will no longer be based at these sites.

However, all those receiving social care will be provided with care at planned times plus extra help would be available if found to be needed from the roving night-time care service as well as access to the Telecare service.