Social care funding must be protected in the same way that it is for the NHS in the next Budget or another crisis such as the one seen this winter will be unavoidable, local government leaders are warning today.
The Local Government Association (LGA) are urging the Chancellor to protect social care funding in next month’s Budget to enable councils to support the NHS and prepare for reforms starting as soon as this April.
“The Care & Support Alliance supports the LGA Budget calls in relation to social care” said Richard Hawkes, Chair of the CSA. “We particularly welcome the focus on the link between spending on health and social care and the need to protect both.
“The LGA analysis of the reduction in social care funding makes it clear why the CSA hears so many stories of people failing to be supported to wash, dress, leave the house and communicate with those around them. This results in people withdrawing from society, becoming reliant on friends and family to provide care and support, often driving those relationships to crisis point.
“The only way to address this is sustained and consistent investment enabling local authorities to plan effectively to meet their duties in a sustainable way. Without this the social care system will remain in crisis.”
Full details on LGA website: http://tinyurl.com/pctlvr5
See the story as covered in the Daily Express: http://tinyurl.com/muu2bym
News Story
2015 Budget must protect care funding like the NHS to avoid another winter crisis
February 16, 2015