19.09.12
Black holes
Social care is increasingly becoming a central issue for the health service to manage, or mis-manage as critics would put it.
The gap between what care homes need to provide quality care and what councils can afford is widening, and will continue to do so as long as the Government takes to put together a sustainable funding structure for social care.
Without this, the consequences for the NHS are huge. Hospitals will have to take on cases which should have been treated in the community or the home, and the lack of available care will lead to exacerbations and complications abound.
Of course there is wisdom in taking time over such a thorny issue, as the Government must be very careful to get this right. And a rushed solution could simply lead to further reforms in a few years time.
But the pressure on all involved cannot be borne indefinitely, and sooner rather than later, a decision must be taken on the course ahead.
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