Summary
An Age UK review indicates that cuts to social care in England mean that hundreds of thousands of vulnerable older people may be left to struggle routinely with inadequate home-based help and care.
Reference
Triggle, N. (2017). Frail, elderly people ‘left to struggle alone’. London: BBC Health News, February 16th 2017.
Adult Social Care More Generally
Meanwhile, research from the Local Government Information Unit shows that adult social care is the biggest immediate priority / pressure-point for more than half of all councils.
Reference
Adult social care is the biggest pressure on councils. London [Online]: Unison / Local Government Information Unit, February 10th 2017.
Further background information from the BBC:
Reference
Reality Check: Who gets social care and who pays for it? London: BBC Health News, February 8th 2017.
March 2017 Update
BBC Panorama has revealed that home care firms have cancelled contracts with almost a hundred UK councils, as they are unable to deliver services for the amount paid.
Reference
‘Lack of money’ prompts care firms to end council contracts. London: BBC Health News, March 20th 2017.
April 2018 Update
Allied Healthcare seeks a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA):
Reference
Allied Healthcare: home care provider seeks rescue plan. London: BBC Health News, April 21st 2018.
Covering the Costs of Home Care?
The UK Homecare Association (UKHCA) has found that only one in seven councils in England currently pays a fair sustainable price for home care. The average fee paid is £16.12 per hour, while the UKHCA recommends a minimum price of £18.01 per hour.
Reference
Triggle, N. (2018). Councils buying care ‘on the cheap’. London: BBC Health News, October 25th 2018.
Questions regarding the future financial viability of Allied Healthcare:
Reference
Triggle, N. (2018). Major home care provider future ‘at risk’. London: BBC Health News, November 6th 2018.
