Shirley is so right about care betrayal
HOW shirley Conran’s article about the failing social care system resonated with me (mail). Like her, I voted for this Government mainly because of Boris Johnson’s pledge to fix social care for good, a promise previous prime ministers have disregarded once they were in power. It is probably the most discussed, concerning issue for people of a certain age. How will we manage? What help can we expect? and, most of all, how can we pay for it if it becomes necessary? even if we have been prudent, most people could not begin to cover the extortionate cost of a care home. If we have managed to buy our own home, we are penalised by having to fund our own care. Having experienced the care system with my elderly mother, dealing with social workers, care packages and carers, it fills me with horror that this could be my fate. We treat our animals in a more humane and respectful way. We know Covid has been a costly, unexpected event, but to ignore social care in the Budget is unforgivable. Boris promised a long overdue, fairer, joined-up system. at the next General election, senior members of society will remember his broken promise.
JEAN McNAMARA, Greenhithe, Kent. as a retired GP, thank you for shirley Conran’s article, The Great Care Betrayal Has Turned me from superwoman To suicidal. my wife and I found it impossible to get through to NHs 111 when we developed Covid symptoms a year ago and the GP service did not operate. We muddled through and survived. However, the care system failed.
Dr DAVID L. BEALES, Kew, South-West London. Our mother’s care home has raised her fees by £175 a week, with the total for 2021/2022 in excess of £69,000. Brexit and PPe have been cited for this increase, though the Government has provided a substantial amount of funding for PPe and extra staff. Our mother’s only asset, her home, was sold to fund her care. soon she will not be able to afford the fees and they will be paid for by the local authority and taxpayers. There needs to be fairer funding for care home residents. JOHN JONES & SUE CODY,
Leatherhead, Surrey.