Fuel shortages could jeopardise care of the disabled and elderly

The United Kingdom Homecare Association wants the Government to act to ensure people reliant on care services in their own home are not put at risk from fuel shortages.

The association, which represents more than 2,000 domiciliary care providers, is calling on the Government to draw up a list of occupations that should have priority in the event of petrol shortages.

Bridget Warr, chief executive of the United Kingdom Homecare Association (UKHCA) said: “The vast majority of the homecare workforce rely on their cars to reach the people they visit during the day."

"We urge the Government to establish a priority occupation list that includes social care workers and safeguards petrol supplies for these essential services.”

More than 600,500 people receive homecare every week in the UK and many of these have intensive care needs.

Homecare workers provide vital services to elderly and disabled people living at home, often providing services to people who live on their own, or whose families rely on the essential help their careworkers provide.

Her commments come in the wake of panic buying of petrol across the UK over the last few days, after threat of a tanker strike, led Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude to advise motorists to fill jerry cans with petrol and store them in the garage.

Bridget Warr, chief executive of UKHCA is pictured