Welcome NHS care cash a mere “drop in the ocean”
BASW has welcomed the transfer of £162million of NHS money to fund adult social care services but has warned it is a “drop in the ocean” compared with the anticipated cuts across the public sector.
Westminster health secretary Andrew Lansley said the extra cash would be spent on helping people to leave hospital more quickly, get settled back at home with the support they need, and to prevent unnecessary admissions to hospital.
“Older people often need particular support after a spell in hospital to settle back into their homes, recover their strength and regain their independence. This money will enable the NHS and social care to work better together for the benefit of patients,” he said.
The cash will be given to primary care trusts and will then be transferred to local authorities.
Commenting on the news BASW England manager Ruth Cartwright said: “We easily save and have saved the NHS millions over the years. At one time district nurses used to do things some carers do now and there were geriatric wards rather than people being cared for at home. So it’s about time we started getting some back.”
“However, compared to the likely cuts in services offered by the local authorities and the NHS, which will affect the most vulnerable people, this is a drop in the ocean,” she added.
President of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services Richard Jones also welcomed the announcement but stressed that delays in transfers between hospital and home were not just a result of the availability of home-based support provided by councils but were just as likely to be caused by health related support too.
He said the flu crisis meant it was imperative decisions about how to spend the money were made as soon as possible. “Councils are very much in the best position to know how and where people can be best supported. Spending decisions need to be made as quickly as possible in the interests of helping everyone concerned, as well as making the best use of valuable resources,” he said
