Overspend Causes Care Home Cuts In Devon

Social services in Devon are slowing down admission rates for older people to care homes in a bid to reduce costs.

It is introducing a “three out, two in” policy to try to bring down a £2m overspend. Spending is running at £146m, compared to a budget of £144m.

The department is also cutting back the hours of domiciliary care, has a freeze on vacancies and is reviewing the use of temporary and agency staff.

Age Concern is worried the moves could cause bed blocking in hospitals.

A report to councillors said Devon had one of the highest populations of people aged 85-plus in the country, and the number was rising at a rate of about 3% a year.

The director of Age Concern in Exeter, Martyn Rogers, said he accepted the council’s budget was tight, but added he was concerned the policy could lead to bed blocking in hospitals because of people being unable to be moved into care.

The cut is only hitting facilities run by Devon County Council.