Two thirds of public oppose government`s policy on long term care

Two thirds of the public believe older people should not pay for
nursing or personal care services.

In a poll conducted for the King’s Fund, the majority of
voters supported the Royal Commission on Long Term Care for the
Elderly’s recommendation that people with long-term
conditions should not be means tested whether receiving care at
home or in a nursing home.

Health minister John Hutton said the government had decided to
spend the majority of funds on improving the range of services
available to older people to ensure they recover quickly, and avoid
unnecessary admission into care homes.

“But we can’t spend the same money twice. Making this
investment in better health and social services will improve the
health of hundreds of thousands of people in future. This has to be
the right priority,” he added.

www.kingsfund.org.uk