Care place availability sparks concern

HALTON experienced the sixth worst drop in the number of care beds in England outside London.

According to data Care Quality Commission data compiled by Responsible Life retirement mortgage advisers, the borough had 809 care beds in 2014 but that figure has plunged by 11.9% to 713 in 2019.

The firm warned that across England, nearly 9,772 care home beds for the elderly have been lost in five years in 75 local authority areas that have struggled to keep up with the amount needed.

It said the elderly are being ‘left at the mercy’ of a postcode lottery in many areas, even though the overall number of beds has risen over the same period from 401,322 to 407,058.

More pressure could be heaped on the sector in future as the country’s population continues to rise, it said.

Sunderland had the worst decline in care home bed numbers outside London, losing 15.3% since 2014.

Waltham Forest in London had the worst in the country, falling 32.58%.

Steve Wilkie, Responsible Life managing director, said: “The number of beds countrywide has actually gone up, so we know a drop in the number of beds in half of authorities is not part of a wider change in how people want to access care in later life.

“In fact, what we are seeing is a postcode lottery unfold.

“If this trend isn’t reversed, it is going to get even tougher to access care in certain areas in the coming years.

“For some it will mean lack of availability and subsequently higher costs force them to delay accessing the right care at the right time, while others may feel they are better off financially paying for assistance at home.

“The danger is that some retirees will inevitably choose to remain in homes that do not meet their requirements.

“It is imperative that people consider all their options and make informed choices well in advance.”