24.09.12
NHS leaders alarmed by £2bn gap in social care funding
The £2bn gap in long-term social care funding is severely affecting patient care, the NHS Confederation has warned in a new report.
The report, entitled ‘Papering Over the Cracks,’ claims that the NHS has previously backed some short-term use of NHS funds as “a necessary sticking plaster”. However, it further reports that continuing to dip in to the healthcare pot would be “a short-sighted policy of robbing Peter to pay Paul”.
With an ageing population, and an increase in complications such as dementia, costs for social care are set to increase. These patients are also more likely to impact on the acute sector if effective care is not in place, through a rise in admissions and delayed treatment.
The report calls for cross-party support to address the immediate cash short-fall and find a long-term funding solution. If the issues are not urgently addressed, the report claims that even the most basic care may not be available in the future. The NHS Confederation is urging the Government to find funding for the Dilnot proposals.
It further warns that the NHS is attempting to find an unprecedented £5bn in efficiency savings annually – a further £2bn in addition to this could have a devastating impact.
Jo Webber, NHS Confederation deputy director of policy, said: “The NHS and local government are facing immense pressures. We share the problems and we must share the solutions.” She added: “The NHS and our local authority colleagues need to look at how we can radically redesign care.”
The report has received backing from the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS), which agreed that an “already serious situation is bound to deteriorate over the coming years”.
The report is at: www.nhsconfed.org/Publications/Documents/papering-over-cracks.pdf
Tell us what you think – have your say below, or email us directly at [email protected]