Fury at changes to home care rules

12.42.33pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 13th Jul 2006

At last nights meeting of the Social Care Improvement Liberal Democrat Leader Jeanette Sunderland was angry that older people were being presented with a "fait accompli" concerning the raising of charges for home care. She said,

"The Executive says they are going out to consult people on the level of increases but these charges will have to be levied as a result of the budget set in February. Conservative and Labour Councillors voted together to raise charges by just over half a million this year and almost a million next year. Older people and people with learning difficulties will have to pay more for the service. They are being presented with a fait accompli.

"What is even more worrying is that the consultation exercise is also being used to tell people that the Council is pushing up the qualifying threshold for people who will be able to receive services from the Council. This will mean that potentially over a thousand people who are currently eligible for help will lose it.

"From October this year just over a third of people who have been assessed as having moderate needs will not be eligible for a directly purchased or provided service. Officers have said that some people may be reassessed and moved into the higher needs group but officers are very clear that a significant number of people will be affected by the new criteria.

This is a fundamental shift in the way the council provides services to older people and to those with learning disabilities.

This is a point of principle which is hidden amongst detail about raising charges. People who are being asked if the charges should go up may very well find themselves without a service at all!

" The grand plan is that people will be directed to services in the community and voluntary sector but nowhere in the report is there any evidence that community groups, church groups and so on are prepared for or even know about an influx of a 1000 people in need of help.

"These decisions are being driven purely on a basis of money.

"Nationally it is well recognised that social services funding is insufficient. In Bradford we have many more people who are living longer. Needs are outstripping the demand.

"However the Council does not have to reduce the number of people it is prepared to help. I would urge everyone who has a member of their family, friend or neighbour who is receiving help from the council to make sure that they respond to the consultation exercise. Make sure that the council knows you are unhappy at these cuts in service."