Elderly ‘could be denied care’ under new system
Alliance of charities claims that thousands more elderly and disabled people could be shut out of care system because of gaps in new rules
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.
Care groups have already warned that new legal guidelines intended to end a postcode lottery could end up simply extending the most stringent standards for assessing who is regarded as eligible for care from some areas to all of them.
But now a new analysis of the plans has also highlighted fears that gaps in the wording of the proposed Government regulations on how to decide who needs care could exclude key categories of people.
They include frail elderly or disabled people with mobility problems which might prevent them getting up or down stairs, according to the study.
Those who have serious communication problems because of autism or even brain injuries also appear to fall outside the criteria for care, the report argues
The Care and Support Alliance, a grouping of all the major charities working with elderly and disabled people in Britain, commissioned the study into new guidelines laid before Parliament as part of the Coalition’s long-awaited overhaul of the care system in England.
Under the current system, in addition to a financial test, anyone requesting care is assessed on a four-point scale to measure how serious their needs are.
But the bar is set at different levels by different local authorities, meaning that for two equally frail people living in different places one might receive care and the other be refused.
Instead, a new standard test is being introduced across England to end the unfairness. Draft rules specify that people with a “physical or mental impairment or illness” which affects their daily lives would be eligible for care if it means they cannot perform tasks such as washing or dressing or cooking for themselves.
But although there are references to people being unable to get out to use community services, there is no specific mention of “mobility”.
The alliance fears this means those who cannot even move around their own home could be shut out. It adds that the absence of any mention of communication problems could exclude many disabled people.
“These findings are incredibly worrying for older and disabled people and their families,” said Richard Hawkes, the alliance’s chairman.
“We’re extremely worried that hundreds of thousands of people who need care to get around the house, to communicate with family, friends or colleagues or to play a part in their community won’t get it.
“Combined with setting the threshold at a high level this means increasing numbers of people will be unable to get vital care and support.”
But Norman Lamb, the care minister, argued that the transfer of £3.8 billion from the NHS to help bring social care and health more closely together, would extend support rather than limiting it.
He said: “We are setting the threshold at a level that will allow most councils to maintain the same level of access to care and support for those who are eligible when they move to the new system.
“This is the minimum level of care and support councils will have to offer – councils can go further and meet needs that are not otherwise eligible if they wish.
“We are clear that local authorities should consider communication and mobility issues when assessing people. The Care and Support Alliance has been closely involved in work we are already doing on the development of regulations that will set out more detail.”
