Sick are more important than Brexit

This is, which is forcing local authorities to go ‘cap in hand’ to beg the Government for additional financing in order to enable them to be able to provide adequate levels of care to the sick, elderly and disabled throughout this coming winter and possibly beyond.

A new study carried out by Unison among carers who actually work in the industry, exposed the fact that they were becoming increasingly concerned by the fact that vulnerable people were not receiving the level or quality of care that their situation warranted. This was as a result of being called upon to fit in too many calls within their shifts and that travel time between calls, was grossly inadequate and that their terms and conditions of employment meant that as a result, many were leaving the industry.

Yet another report meanwhile, by the CSA (Care & Support Alliance) states that much of the care now being provided, is no longer ‘fair or safe’ and that many of society’s most vulnerable, are being denied their rights, often left isolated, robbed of their dignity and hope with many local authorities effectively ‘breaking the law’ by dramatically having to reduce levels of home help, leading to some sick, elderly and vulnerable people being admitted to hospital as a consequence.

The report also exposes the fact that social workers are allegedly facing intense pressure to ‘ration care’ as a result of these cash restrictions, despite the fact that legislation introduced in 2014, prohibits local authorities from reducing care packages, ‘unless a patient’s health has shown a measurable improvement’. The report concluded therefore that in fact packages were being cut ‘purely for financial reasons’ which in some areas had become a matter of policy, resulting, in some instances in people needlessly ending up in hospital and/or care homes.

Meanwhile, there are instances whereby some couples are being separated, ending up in different venues, sometimes substantial distances apart, which suggests that in some areas, the law is being stretched, if not systematically breached, as local authorities struggle to cope. The writing for this appalling situation meanwhile, was on the wall when government delegated responsibility for the financial management of care, out to local authorities, which was quickly followed by substantial increase in their areas of responsibility, followed by crippling reductions to their budgets and a failure to ring fence money specifically for use within care, making it difficult for LA’s to be able to prioritise expenditure.This is a disaster waiting to happen and the Government will be guilty of systematic neglect if they continue to turn their backs on the reality of this situation.

So, I say to this Government, we are the fifth richest nation in the world and this is the 21st century, so for heaven’s sake put Brexit on the back burner for a short while and implement your duty of care, towards the sick, elderly and most vulnerable citizens if you have any conscience at all.

Allan Kyte

Great Wyrley