Older People Deserve Better, say Lib Dems (Oxfordshire Liberal Democrats)

Oxfordshire Liberal Democrats <info@oxfordshirelibdems.org.uk>

Older People Deserve Better, say Lib Dems

February 9, 2006 9:20 AM

Cllr Janet Godden, Liberal Democrat spokesperson on Social and Community Services, criticised the Conservative Cabinet's proposals for the County Council's budget next year as "grim reading" for older people in Oxfordshire. The final Cabinet proposals were published on Monday, as were the Liberal Democrat suggested amendments.

Janet said, "This makes very grim reading indeed, and this is why the Liberal Democrat group's amendments put in a further - and continuing - £1m towards unmet pressures in the elderly care budget. The effect of not meeting these pressures will mean that some home owners may well cease doing business with the Council because their inflationary costs are not being met - and so clients may have to move. Carers will face even more demands as the already inadequate number of respite beds is reduced and waiting lists for assessments and care packages increase. Halting the day services programme will increase loneliness, decrease well-being and again add to the demands on carers. And additional charges for home support will have a direct financial impact on elderly people and their carers.

"We are told that the effect of these cuts will merely mean a longer wait for older people. 'Longer' and 'wait' are very sorry words when you are over 85. Older people deserve better than this."

The Conservative budget proposals go against what Oxfordshire people said they wanted. The survey by MORI last autumn gave the highest priority to care for older people, and also showed that people felt that the County was failing to provide a satisfactory level of service here. This finding was repeated at a more recent workshop run by MORI in January.

"Last week saw the launch of the Government White Paper on adult care. As expected, it envisages a strong strategic and leadership role for local government in the commission in health and social care. This is the right direction of travel. This is no time for this Council to be giving an impression of indifference about the care of older people, or to stand around waiting on the bank with life belts - which is all the Conservatives' so-called Emergency Fund - for one year only - will do," said Janet.