Shocking Care Figures Shame the Country

SHOCK new figures on the number of older and vulnerable people waiting for care shame the country, campaigners have said.

The Independent Care Group (ICG) said the statistics were further damning proof that reform of social care was “just not happening.”

The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) today released figures showing that more than 500,000 people are waiting for care. They blame a dire shortage of staff in the sector.

ICG Chair Mike Padgham said:

“These are yet more damning statistics that show that reform of the social care sector is just not happening and older and vulnerable people are suffering as a result.

“ADASS represents the local authorities who are delivering and commissioning care, we represent the providers who are struggling to deliver it – between us we can say that the sector is in crisis and urgent action is needed before that 500,000 becomes a million.”

He paid tribute to new president Sarah McClinton and to ADASS for revealing the true picture of social care.

He said the Government had to switch tack on its plans for spending the £36bn Health and Social Care Levy.

“At the moment it is planned that the bulk of this will go into NHS care initially, but these figures show that the need is just as great, if not more urgent, in the social care sector,” Mr Padgham added.

“It is totally pointless bailing out the NHS if social care is leaking at the other end. The end result is that the boat will sink and that is what we are seeing now.

“Social care and NHS care need equal support – one cannot operate properly without the other – and we need the Government to recognise that and to act, diverting some of the earmarked money to social care so that we can address the staffing crisis which is crippling care.”