Cuts to home care are putting elderly and vulnerable people at risk

Elderly and vulnerable people are being put at risk by swingeing cuts to home-based care, according to a new study by the British Red Cross.

The charity carried out a survey of GPs and the general public and found a lack of support for people in their own homes is having a negative impact leading to increasing isolation among older people, more falls and accidents, and growing pressures on hospital beds.

In the report ‘Taking Stock’, nearly 90 per cent of GPs said patients are being put at risk due to a lack of social care support.

Eighty eight per cent of GPs and 80 per cent of the public said a lack of investment or cuts to social care is driving down standards and 85 per cent of GPs and 82 per cent of the public think support for people with lower needs is being cut due to a lack of funding.

Sir Nicholas Young, chief executive of the British Red Cross, said: “We all know budgets are tight, but cuts to and under-investment in lower-level care which jeopardise patients’ wellbeing must be challenged.”

He added: “Preventative support has been historically underfunded by a system which treats people only when they have already reached crisis point, but these attempts to save money are a false economy.

“There must be a dramatic rethink to the way social care is organised in the future, with a focus on preventing crises before they occur and keeping people healthy and independent for as long as possible.”

Unison, the UK’s largest union, is calling for the government to act in the wake of the report.

Dave Prentis, Unison general secretary, said: “The Government’s austerity agenda is making life a misery for some of the most vulnerable people in our society. Another round of budget cuts is only making this situation worse.

“Home care has always provided a vital service and safety net, but our members tell us that this critical protection is being taken away. All too often, 15 minute care slots are sold off to the lowest bidder. This does not give enough time for home carers to provide a decent level of care.

“In its white paper, due over the summer, the government must commit to a long term solution, which is long overdue. Funding social care through general taxation, making it free at the point of use along the lines of the NHS model would solve this problem, and give elderly people the dignity and respect they deserve.”

The Patients Association also expressed its concern.

Katherine Murphy, chief executive, said: “We are becoming increasingly concerned about the squeeze in resources being placed on adult social care services, as local councils seek to manage the huge cuts in their grants from central government.”

She added: “We regularly hear from relatives that have contacted our Helpline to complain that their loved one has been sent home to be cared for, but with a care package which is inadequate in either scope or implementation.

"We have had some truly concerning cases of real neglect, which relatives blame on the lack of resources within the social care system. Even in these hard financial times, our elderly and vulnerable patients have the right to be given the care they deserve.”

The study found home-based care, besides drastically improving people’s lives, can also save the NHS thousands of pounds per patient in longer-term health costs.

Independent economic analysis of the Red Cross’ health and social care services, carried out by nef consulting, shows home-based support can save the NHS up to £10,000 per patient.