LGA Responds To NICE Guidance On Home Care

Responding to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines on home care services and support for older people living in their own homes, a Local Government Association Spokesman, said:

“Sadly, the rise in short visits is just one of the symptoms of a social care and support system that is under enormous financial pressure. The funding gap in adult social care services is growing by just over £700 million each year and it is vital for our elderly and disabled population that government urgently addresses this. This funding gap is combined with other pressures such as the cost of introducing the National Living Wage, which the LGA estimates will cost councils more than £830 million a year by the end of the decade.

“Councils are doing all they can to work with providers to make sure older people have access to the services they rely on to keep them independent and well and will continue to work to improve care. However, the Government must adequately fund the system and commit to a long-term strategy to ensure that people get the care they need.”