Savings in social care

SIR – The Care Quality Commission has published a report describing the social care system as “straining at the seams”. It does not need to be like this.

While we should be providing services for those who most need them, 30 per cent of demand across the entire system is avoidable.

Jeremy Hunt, the Health Secretary, has highlighted the scale of A&E attendances where no treatment was needed. Impower’s recent report shows that some £3 billion could be saved in adult care alone by better management of demand.

Rather than continuing to fight for more money, efforts should be focused on how to manage demand and support people to live happily in their own homes. Martin Cresswell

Chief Executive, Impower London, E1