A report commissioned by key members from the British Healthcare Trades Association has found that £625m of taxpayers’ money could be saved if more appropriate provision was made for people needing home adaptations.
Produced by the LSE (London School of Economics) Personal Social Services Research Unit the study concluded that for every £1 spent on adaptive technologies there could be a net saving to the taxpayer of £1.10 – equating to an annual potential saving of £1,101 per person per year, if the government puts aids and adaptations at the heart of its adult social care reforms.
Building a business case for investing in adaptive technologies in England makes a commercial case for government putting preventative care at the heart of its healthcare policies.
Mike Lord, of the BHTA, said: “Social care is a ticking demographic time bomb – but one that can be diffused. With low cost adaptations such as grab rails or stairlifts, people retain the dignity and quality of independent living while significantly cutting costs. This is a win-win situation; we urge politicians to ensure it is at the heart of social care reform.”
The BHTA has made the following recommendations to government in light of the report’s findings:
* To prioritise the preventative role of aids and adaptations in forthcoming social care reform.
* To increase investment in the Disabled Facilities Grant to enable longer term savings to be made to the public purse
* To ensure local Health and Wellbeing Boards quantify unmet need for aids and adaptations in their area and have a clear plan to provide for.
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