UK Care system 'at breaking point'

Source : Press Association
Published on 02 June 2011 12:00 PM

The UK's three major political parties have been warned they must reach an agreement on care reforms, otherwise older and frail people will suffer.

An alliance of organisations, including the charity Age UK, the Local Government Organisation and Bupa, have sent an open letter to David Cameron, Nick Clegg and Ed Miliband, stating that the matter must be resolved urgently.

The letter said 'delay is no longer an option' as the care system is reaching 'breaking point'.

The group of charities, think-tanks and councils pointed to the £1 billion planned cuts to adult social care at a time when councils are already struggling to meet increased demand for services.

The scale of the shortfall was laid bare in a survey for the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services, which was completed by 98% of local authorities involved.

The letter comes about a month before a report examining the future for care provision is published, as the Commission on the Funding of Care and Support, chaired by Andrew Dilnot, is due to report its findings to the Government in July.

The letter said: 'The reform of funding for older people's long-term care and for younger people with disabilities remains one of the most difficult and challenging policy issues confronting England.

'For over a decade, governments of all colours have struggled to agree an answer.

'But delay is no longer an option. As a number of recent reports have highlighted, the increased pressure on public finances is pushing an already over-burdened system to breaking point.

'And without further integration between health and social care services this picture could worsen.

'It is frail, older people who will suffer unless the issue is resolved.

'We, the co-signed, are urging all political parties to respond to the independent Commission's report in a measured process of debate and work to build a consensus on the solution.'

via ageuk.org.uk