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Kings fund report: time running out for care sector
November 13, 2002 12:00 AM
Commenting on the King's Fund report Unfinished Business which warns that a crisis in the care system will happen 'sooner or later', Liberal Democrat Spokesman on Older People Paul Burstow MP said:
"We are treating the elderly - our parents and grandparents - like wooden objects without feelings. Liberal Democrats want free long term care for the elderly. This is the only way to stop the disgrace of people being forced to sell their homes to stay alive.
"Forcing vulnerable elderly people to sell their homes for unfamiliar, and sometimes unfriendly, surroundings causes huge anguish and suffering. For some, the trauma may cost them their lives.
"Ministers have had their heads in the sand for far too long on the impending meltdown in the care sector. The loss of care homes has been unforeseen and unplanned for by Whitehall.
"The warning signs are clear. Low fee levels, increases in the older population and poor long term planning have left the care system in freefall. Unless the Chancellor acts decisively to restore confidence in the care home sector, more homes will close their doors.
"The scrapping of criminal records checks for care staff, the lack of planning for the care home sector and underinvestment in high quality care has left elderly people facing uncertainty, insecurity and vulnerability.
"All of us personally, and society as whole, owe them more dignity than that." ENDS
Notes to editors
The King's Fund report 'Unfinished Business - a crisis in care averted or postponed? Progress and problems with the care workforce since the King's Fund Care and Support Inquiry in June 2001' finds that:
• Government investment has not been forthcoming to stave off the crisis in the care sector.
• Nothing has happened to improve the protection of vulnerable adults. Since this report was written, the Criminal Records Bureau has stopped all checks on employees working with vulnerable adults, exacerbating potential abuse of vulnerable people.
• Recruitment and retention problems continue to blight the sector.
• There is a need for a Wanless-style report for social care that still has not been implemented by Ministers at the Department of Health.
In March 2002, Paul Burstow MP found that the number of people requiring long-term residential care would exceed supply by 2006 if current trends continued (please contact Richard Stokoe on 020 7219 1196 for further information).
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