Counting the cost of underfunding care

The disability organisation led by disabled people Disability Rights UK says publication of today’s Association of Directors of Adult Social Services report on 2012 adult social care budgets reveals the stark reality for disabled people, carers and older people losing out on the frontline of austerity Britain.

The report also reveals that we will all foot the long-term bill for current underfunding of essential care and support. Councils are being prevented from meeting people’s needs due to a lack of resources; but long-term costs will be incurred by councils and the NHS which outweigh the immediate cuts in spending demanded by the government.

 Sue Bott, the director of development at Disability Rights UK said: “Disabled people, older people and carers are losing support that helps retain basic dignity and independence. Or face ever-increasing charges for essential support.”

The report shows a massive drop in care expenditure: £890 million expected in 2012/13. This is despite a 1% real terms drop in the last financial year – and the rising demand for support from older people and young disabled people surviving into adulthood for example. Previous analyses of care expenditure suggest at least an additional £2 billion is required just to meet existing demand.

 The organisation says it also shows disabled people will be forced to pay an additional £77 million for essential support to meet basic needs (eating, toileting, bathing for example). This is despite most research revealing the public support free care services being provided for people with legitimate needs.

 Previous research also suggests that levying fees for basic support results in people withdrawing from services. This presents local authorities with legal and ethical dilemmas in discharging care responsibilities, ensuring people receive sufficient support. But long-term, this also presents greater costs for councils who become required to support people who only return to services with the very highest needs. People supported in their own homes for an average of £204 per week end up requiring £623 per week intensive residential care placements for example.

Sue Bott said: “The ‘ostrich’ approach of councils, enforced by cuts from central government, of burying heads in the sand affects us all. Disability Rights UK believes the long-term costs far outweigh the sums from axing essential support now. Care matters to everyone and we need the most effective and efficient system, able to ensure needs are met and not ignored until the costs have tripled.”