Restrictions on social care a “false economy”- RCN
Published: 02 February 2011
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) today warned that local authorities’ increasing restrictions on social care was a “false economy,” adding to the burden on the NHS.
Responding to the Commission on Funding of Care and Support, the RCN said the current level of unmet social care need was deeply concerning. In the response, the RCN warns that local authorities are increasingly restricting free support to just people with critical needs and the lowest means. This leads to a revolving door as without the support in the community, people increasingly end up in hospital.
In light of the unique insight nurses can provide into working in, and with social care, the RCN has provided a comprehensive response to the Commission, drawing from an expert panel and member surveys.
RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary Dr Peter Carter said: “We know the NHS is often burdened by the implications of unmet care needs as a result of delayed discharge into a social care setting. We have seen a number of examples of people who refuse care packages as they feel they cannot afford to pay. This situation is a major concern, and with an aging population, is set to get even worse under the current funding arrangements.”
The RCN calls for staff to be given the time to care for patients and for an end to ‘wash and go’ treatment. This can be achieved by reducing the burden of administration and assessment duties. Together with a larger workforce, this will also help to address issues around loneliness and isolation that many older patients endure when seeking to maintain their independence at home.
The RCN survey revealed that 80 per cent of nurses did not believe that there are sufficient numbers of adequately trained social care staff, with the sector suffering from skills shortages and a lack of standardised training.
To meet the challenges facing the social care system, the RCN said that any reforms to funding must do the following:
• Provide equitable access to social care for everyone and an end to the postcode lottery. This would maximise prevention opportunities and eradicate unmet care needs.
• Deliver a highly skilled and trained national social care workforce, which is key to improving quality.
• Deliver a system that is simple and transparent, ending patient confusion and the ‘assessment industry.’
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Notes for Editors
1.For further information, interviews or illustrations please contact the RCN Media Office on 0207 647 3633, press.office@rcn.org.uk or visit http://www.rcn.org.uk/newsevents/media
2. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the UK and is the largest professional union of nursing staff in the world. The RCN promotes the interest of nurses and patients on a wide range of issues and helps shape healthcare policy by working closely with the UK Government and other national and international institutions, trade unions, professional bodies and voluntary organisations
3. The RCN’s response was based on an expert panel and a member-wide survey (England only, 2011), on the Government’s social care principles, receiving 2,214 responses.