ADASS Responds To New Government Rules On Spending Of Social Care Funding

Responding to Better Care Fund Planning Requirements announced last night by Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, that set out how social care and NHS funding to support integration is to be spent, including the £2 billion announced in the Spring Budget, Margaret Willcox, President of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS), said:

“As we highlighted in our budget survey last week, social care is under pressure from increasing need in local populations, increasing costs and a long term reduction in funding.

“We welcomed the short-term £2 billion funding announced by the Chancellor this spring for local councils’ adult social care services, along with the agreed three national conditions – which required stabilisation of the social care market to alleviate pressures on adult care – and continue to support timely transfers from hospital.

“Across the country ADASS’ members have consistently prioritised discharge from hospital. In many areas Directors have already obtained a level of agreement as to how best utilise this much needed funding, responding quickly to encouragement to start to use these funds to make a difference in local areas.

“ADASS is very disappointed by the last minute unilateral changes to guidance that have taken place in the last few days. The consequence is to undermine the collective effort required.”