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Burstow Tackles Bedblocking Crisis
July 25, 2002 12:00 AM
Paul Burstow MP, the Liberal Democrat Spokesman for Older People has warned that Government plans to pay money direct to older people to buy their care will not deliver unless the capacity crisis in social care is tackled. According to the Department of Health's own figures, every day 579 older people are in hospital waiting to be discharged but stuck because their choice of care is not available.
Over the last five years 63,000 care home beds have been lost and 109,900 fewer people are receiving care in their own homes.
Paul Burstow MP said:-
"With care homes closing and cash strapped Councils rationing access to home care, handing the cash over to older people to buy their own care won't increase choice. Unless the Government are prepared to pay a decent rate for care, choice will remain a pipedream for thousands of elderly people.
"What vulnerable older people want is the right care, in the right place, at the right time. For far too many, the reality is one of too little care too late. Putting the cash to buy care in the hands of older people will only make a difference if it ensures access to dedicated high quality care.
"Unless the Government does more to back carers the pressures on the NHS and social services will continue to grow. The oldest carers tend to have cared longest and often at greatest cost to their own health. It's time the Government gave carers the cash to be able to get a respite break at a time of their own choosing.
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