News

The government was accused last week of forcing the privatisation of community care services through underfunding the reforms.

Rita Stringfellow, Association of Metropolitan Authorities social services chairperson, said: 'It is privatisation by any other name.'

A report discussed at the AMA's social services committee last week showed that many elderly people who would have received community care services before the reforms now receive nothing (News, 20 July).

The survey also revealed that many others who should be receiving free care from the NHS are having to pay through social services.

The AMA is currently pressing the government for a substantial increase in community care funding. It has estimated that there will need to be an additional £243 million awarded next year.

Sefton councillor Paul Cummins said underfunding had undermined his council's imaginative community care plans.

'We are unable to meet the needs of those people who are in greatest need, and the consequence is we have people languishing in hospital and people dying before they get the nursing home care they require,' he said.

The report also illustrated how patchy services had become around the country, he added. 'This is a complete disaster.

We do not have a national policy, we have a local mess,' said Cummins.