Leader backs Care England’s call for Social Care Green Paper

Independent Care Group Chair, Mike Padgham, has given his support to a campaign calling for publication of the government’s Adult Social Care Green Paper.

Care England is calling on the government to publish the Green Paper, which is now expected before April, and set how it will protect and guarantee beds for those in need.

The Independent Care Group’s Chair, Mike Padgham said: “I welcome Care England’s campaign pointing out that today we see evidence that the country is not equipped to look after our oldest and most vulnerable adults. Councils are not keeping pace with the cost of providing care and so care homes are being forced to close or cut back on provision. The government should fund local authorities adequately so they can discharge their responsibilities.

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“The 1.4m people currently living without care is a national disgrace and that figure is only set to increase.

“We are promised that the Green Paper on social care should be published ‘before April’. But given that it has been delayed at least four times so far and the continuing wrangling over Brexit, that looks less and less likely.

As part of its campaign, Care England has published research showing that many councils failed to increase the fees they pay to care providers despite their rising costs (see Care England accuses councils of “abandoning the elderly”).

Mike added: “The situation is becoming intolerable. With care homes closing and homecare providers handing back unviable contracts, more and more people aren’t getting the care they need. For the sake of the 1.4m people who aren’t getting care and the many more who will join them this year, we can’t allow that to continue another day more.”