A shift to bulk-funded home care has been delayed by Southern District Health Board, because it does not know how much the service should cost.
The board wanted to bulk fund from July 1, to allow providers discretion in how money was spent to introduce a ''restorative'' model that encouraged client independence.
The change is part of the shake-up earlier this year in which long-standing provider Presbyterian Support Otago was controversially dropped.
Bulk funding has been delayed until all clients had had a computer-based needs assessment (60% done so far).
Home support was over budget by $1.3 million in the year to June 30.
Disability support committee members were assured by management at their meeting this month the contract would not be capped until each client's needs were ascertained.
Strategy, integration and planning director Sharon Kletchko told the Otago Daily Times July 1 was ''only a target''.
The aim of the service, phased in during the four months to July 1, had not been to reduce costs, she said.
''While ideally any service would run within budget, we are undergoing a significant transition in the way services are provided as we work with new providers to introduce the restorative model.
''The introduction of the restorative model is a gradual process that involves working closely with clients, their families, primary services and other service providers.''
Once complete, information from the electronic assessments would form part of funding talks with the three providers.
The assessments should be complete by the end of this year.
When it proposed the new service last year, the board said bulk funding would provide incentives for providers to encourage client independence.
It is also hoped bulk funding will allow more skills training and professional development for workers.
