Charity attacks 'rise' in 'disgraceful' short care visits

October 7, 2013 Carers, dementia, disability, Multiple Sclerosis, Older care, Social care, ukcuts

7 October 2013 Last updated at 10:52

Charity attacks ‘rise’ in ‘disgraceful’ short care visits

Richard Stapeley, who has Multiple Sclerosis, says his 30-minute visits are not long enough

Short care visits to elderly and disabled people are “disgraceful” and on the rise, a charity has claimed.

In England, 60% of councils use 15-minute visits, which are not long enough to provide adequate care Leonard Cheshire Disability says.

The charity says such visits can “force disabled people to choose whether to go thirsty or to go to the toilet”.

The government said the Care Bill would prevent “inappropriate” short visits but would not outlaw 15-minute visits.

Leonard Cheshire wants a ban on what it calls the “scandal of flying 15-minute visits”, lobbying the government to prevent the practice in England.

Service users to gain right to independent advocacy through Care Bill

October 3, 2013 Carers, Social care

Government amendment would provide right to advocacy when a person needed substantial support in understanding information during care management or safeguarding processes and had no one else to support them.

The Care Bill returns to Parliament next week

Mithran Samuel

Thursday 03 October 2013 22:42

Service users and carers would gain a right to an independent advocate to help them participate in the assessment, support planning or safeguarding process under a government amendment to the Care Bill.

The provision would apply if the person would experience substantial difficulty in understanding, retaining or weighing up relevant information, or in communicating their wishes, and they had no family member or friend to speak up for them.

The amendment – which will be moved by minister Earl Howe when the bill returns to the House of Lords next week – has been strongly welcomed by advocacy leaders, who have campaigned strongly for such a provision.

Norfolk County Council’s social care cuts will hit elderly and disabled

September 30, 2013 Carers, Older care, Social care, ukcuts

Norfolk County Council’s proposed social care spending cuts will hit the most vulnerable, including the elderly.

Dan Grimmer Monday, September 30, 2013
12:34 PM

But they insist Norfolk County Council has to make ends meet, even if that means some 15,000 people who get care from the council have to see changes to services.

Social care changes are among some of the most major shake-ups proposed in the county council’s consultation to save £140m over the next four years.

Among controversial proposals are suggestions that £12m could be saved over the next three years by limiting what people can spend personal budgets on.

Carers Chill4us

Category Archives: Social care