The annual report by the Care Quality Commission highlighted the growing crisis facing social care, and the subsequent impact on the NHS.

Vicky McDermott, Chair of the Care and Support Alliance said:

“Today’s Care Quality Commission report highlights the fragility of the social care sector because of Government underfunding. This report highlights that after all the warnings the system is now approaching a ‘tipping point’. Disabled and older people rely on social care when they are fragile and often in crisis – people deserve a system they can rely on, not a neglected service in crisis.

“Social care is a lifeline for vulnerable people in this country, helping them with basic needs like washing or getting dressed.  Underfunding social care puts more pressure on the NHS – with  people needing more expensive care in hospital because they can’t get basic care at home. We are seeing an increase in emergency admissions to Accidents and Emergency services as well as delays in discharging people from hospitals.

“This report reiterates that the system can’t take any more. Providers are starting to hand back contracts because they cannot provide care on such low budgets.

“Now that Jeremy Hunt has overwhelming evidence that the system is buckling from underfunding, he must ensure that money is immediately put into the social care system, to stop the crisis escalating and work to ensure that as a country we have a debate about the future funding of social care.”

 Note:

The Care and Support Alliance represents more than 90 of Britain’s leading charities campaigning alongside the millions of older people, disabled people and their carers who deserve decent care.

Media Contact:

Muna Suleiman: csa@nas.org.uk and 0207 923 5723