Concern as social care reaches breaking point
(Joseph Saddler),
52;
55; THE provisional local government finance settlement does little to allay the urgent concerns of those who rely on social care.
The settlement sets out funding for social care simply as an add-on to the NHS, with £240 million to ease winter pressures and a further £410 million to primarily reduce demand for healthcare.
At Dimensions, we know that social care can and should be so much more than a poor relation of the NHS.
Social care supports people to live independently and is the foundation of a fair and inclusive society.
The finance settlement fails to recognise this, and will leave many people with learning disabilities and autism increasingly worried about the future of their support.
With the government also delaying the publication of the long-awaited social care green paper, it is fair to question how much the government values the many people who rely on social care in their day to day lives.
The sector point. Social care delivers the support that stops people needing hospital care and Assessment and Treatment Units (ATUs) and it does not make economic sense to bury the crisis under layers of neglect.
Not only are employed people – some of them are professionals – and unemployed using food banks, but the number of people dying from cold and hunger on the streets is increasing daily.
Surely the roll out of Universal Credit by this government and its architect Iain Duncan Smith is something for which they should be hanging their heads in shame.
How can they offer help through immigration and financial help to other people when the UK is in such a poverty stricken state?
Charity begins at home. If you cannot help your own then you cannot help others! Christmas 2018 will not be remembered for its goodwill.
Brexit dominating the daily news and one answer to this situation is for May and Co to EXIT, EXIT, EXIT!