"Many excluded from Social Care - says report"

3.36.57pm GMT Fri 12th Jan 2007

Commenting on the Commission for Social Care Inspection report into the state of social care in England 2005/2006, Lib Dem Health & Social Care Spokesman on Northamptonshire County Council, Cllr. David Garlick said:

"The Government cannot keep ignoring problems in social care. This issue is of fundamental importance because it will affect the one in four people who will require some form of long-term care in their lifetime. It will also increase the financial and emotional burden on the many over worked and often unpaid carers, who are helping the elderly."

"Councils around the country (including Northants) are tightening their qualifying criteria - meaning that those in need of care will have to reach a desperately needy state before they get any help. This could mean years of requiring help and not getting it. The financial and human cost of not tackling these pressures early on will be huge and cannot be ignored."

The report from the Commission for Social care published this week warns the Government that elderly and disabled people are increasingly relying on family and friends to care for them. Inspectors warned that councils in England are restricting access to social services by default, and in some instances without debate. The problem is being caused by increasing demands on social services and tension developed with the NHS due to funding difficulties.

More details are available on the BBC Website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6247367.stm