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Burstow begins investigation into drop in funding for Voluntary organisations
September 1, 2006 4:17 PM
Local MP, Paul Burstow, has begun a London-wide investigation into the drop in funding for voluntary organisations working with the NHS.
Burstow took action after being contacted by the local branch of Age Concern and other local voluntary organisations, which had been informed that funding from the local Primary Care Trusts will be cut. Age Concern contacted Mr Burstow after being informed that funding for its popular and valuable Hospital Discharge Scheme, will be cut later this year.
The Hospital Discharge Scheme is aimed at older people returning from hospital, who do not qualify for support from Social Services. Volunteers from the scheme assess the needs of discharged patients and offer help with tasks such as shopping, cleaning or financial affairs.
Speaking about the decision in a recent debate in the House of Commons, Paul Burstow said:
"…people who have been inappropriately and too hastily discharged will end up having to go back into hospital because their home was unsafe or ill suited, or because they were unable to get out to get the necessary food to provide themselves with a decent meal…"
"This will increase the direct cost to the NHS, which is why that decision by the local NHS is a false economy. It is a short-sighted approach, and it will lead to long-term costs and consequences."
Commenting recently, Mr Burstow said:
"Age Concern is not the only voluntary organisation to have contacted me after becoming concerned about reduced funding from the local NHS."
"This government's obsession with inflexible targets and its cost-cutting drives have resulted in this short-sighted approach."
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