Social Care Services Facing Meltdown According To ADASS Survey

Adult social care services will be unsustainable if the current budgetary pressures continue, according to the annual survey by the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS), released today (Wednesday 02 July).

The survey, which 95 per cent of adult social care services departments responded to, found that the cash invested in services will reduce by a further 1.9 per cent or £266 million in 2014/15. This is the third year of continuing cash reductions and the fifth year of real terms reductions in spending.

Alzheimer’s Society comment:

‘These findings are deeply worrying. Many older people are being pushed to crisis point as a result of an underfunded social care system.  It cannot be right that some of the most vulnerable in society are being left to cope on their own, unable to access vital services to maintain their independence.

‘Failure to take the tough, but vital decisions to put health and social care systems on a long-term sustainable financial footing will only create bigger problems for tomorrow.  The elephant in the room can no longer be side-stepped.’

George McNamara
Head of Policy and Public Affairs
Alzheimer’s Society