Authority looks to reassure care users over rule changes
A decision which means Birmingham City Council is no longer required to assess care cases is "not about cutting services", bosses have said.
This week it was revealed that the council was one of just six authorities across the country to take the option to enact Care Act easements, as part of the Coronavirus Bill.
Under the easements, the council is no longer legally obliged to carry out a care assessment for those applying for care, nor is it required to carry out a check on potential carers or a financial assessment.
The decision has raised eyebrows in some quarters, with shadow cabinet member for health and social care Councillor Matt Bennett questioning how the decision was being communicated to the public, among other things.
More Covid-19 coverage:
Councillor Paul Tilsley CBE is another to have raised concerns, saying he will be seeking clarification from the cabinet on the decision later this week.
And, with speculation mounting about what the decision could mean, the council has moved to reassure care users.
“Birmingham Council has exercised the power to enact Care Act Easement stage 3,” a spokesman said.
“This is not about cutting services. The only changes we have agreed to relate to streamlining assessments, including not providing hard copies of assessments or support plans, and limiting the choice of providers, in recognition of the limited options due to pressures in the care provider sector.
“We would like to assure citizens that the city council will continue to assess and provide services to those who have an eligible need for care and support and there will be no change to the services received by existing service users as a result of this decision.
“We will keep this decision under regular review, which is part of our wider response to the current situation; we have also agreed a package of financial support for providers and agreed enhanced health support to care homes with our NHS partners.”
