Postcode lottery of care at home

By Anika Bourley Parliamentary Correspondent

Last updated at 13:22, Friday, 29 May 2009

Elderly people needing care to stay at in their own homes face a postcode lottery – with Cumbrian residents having thousands less spent on them than some parts of the country.

Last year £31.2m was spent by Cumbria County Council on domiciliary care – an average of £2,956 per person. But the figures, uncovered by the Liberal Democrats show a huge discrepancy on cost per person depending on where you live. Residents in Coventry needing the home help will have £9,862 on average spent on them, whereas Cornwall’s elderly only had £1,396 spent on them.

Domiciliary care can help people with personal care and some of the practical household tasks that help them to stay at home and be as independent as possible. It also includes, day care, equipment and adaptations, meals and other non-residential services.

Lib Dem health spokesman Norman Lamb said: “This is an appalling postcode lottery. These figures point to gross variations in the quality and availability of care for elderly people across the country.”

Last year the Commons Public Accounts Committee said many workers were deserting their posts due to poor morale with many paid only just above the minimum wage.

A Cumbria County Council spokesperson said: “The Adult & Cultural Services Directorate produces a three-year commissioning plan which details the level of social care services required across the county.

“This plan informs the budget for the directorate including any growth required to support the increasing number of older people in the county.

“We aim to ensure that Cumbrians are able to make their own decisions in how their social care needs are met. Most elderly or disabled people wish to continue to live in their homes rather than move to a residential care setting.

“Domiciliary care enables the individual to be supported within their own home helping to maintain their independence.”

First published at 05:16, Friday, 29 May 2009
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk