Thousands of elderly and disabled people unable even to get around their own home could be shut out of the care system under strict new national frailty tests, a coalition of almost 80 charities has warned.
Can you help to bring the outside world into the lives of those unable to leave their home because they are caring for a loved one? An online community for carers is appealing for help to keep its vital service open to those in genuine need. STACIA BRIGGS spoke to Chill 4 Us founder Wendy Maxwell about the importance of keeping the lines of communication open.
Mayfair Community Centre co-ordinates a package of support and care based within the community for people with long-term conditions.
The drive to open up public services to competition has proved controversial, nowhere more so than in the NHS. Sir Stephen Bubb, chief executive of the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations, wrote to David Cameron earlier this year raising concerns that public sector monopolies could be replaced by “private-sector oligopolies”. Large private sector providers are cornering new markets in public services at the expense of charities and other smaller community-focused organisations. Bubb argued that contracts are too often focused on cost savings rather than “engagement, collaboration and social value”.
Wendy Maxwell 