Monthly Archives: September 2015

Families often charged too much for care, ombudsman says

The ombudsman received 2,848 complaints about social care from August 2014 to July 2015

Families are paying too much for care in England “all too often” because of confusing or incorrect information from councils, a report says.

The Local Government Ombudsman said some people were not offered an affordable care option in their area.

“Top-up fees”, payable for things such as a bigger room, were often being incorrectly charged, it said.

Care of vulnerable people ‘put in danger’

  • 8 hours ago
  • From the section Health

The dignity, heath and wellbeing of older people and those with disabilities in England are in danger, health and care groups warn.

In a joint submission to the Treasury ahead of November’s Spending Review, 20 organisations said the care sector was facing a “deepening crisis”.

They have called for funding to councils to be protected, as is happening with the NHS.

Britain’s oldest surviving prisoner of war, 97, is living on charity handouts

In fear of eviction SIX MONTHS after his London council vowed to meet his care costs

  • Robbie Clark, 97, has lived in his Burnt Oak, London, home for 50 years
  • He spent all of his £50,000 life savings over two years on a live-in carer
  • Brent Council apparently vowed to meet care costs following a petition
  • But six months on, council has failed to honour its promise, it is claimed
  • Now, Mr Clark, Britain’s oldest prisoner of war, is living in fear of eviction

A 97-year-old man thought to be Britain’s oldest surviving prisoner of war is living in fear of eviction six months after his council vowed to meet his care costs – and allegedly failed to keep its promise.

Robbie Clark, one of the few UK soldiers to have survived Hitler’s 1,000-mile death march, is also surviving on charity handouts at his north London home, where he has lived for the past 50 years.