14 July 2009
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Reform ought to give disabled and vulnerable members of society access to high quality services
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Government must end postcode lottery and show more support for social care
In anticipation of the launch of the green paper on social care reform, Dr Andrew McCulloch, Chief Executive of the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities, said:
“The current social care system is not fit for purpose and a patchwork of services with a postcode lottery that would never be tolerated in the NHS. Unlike the health service, it lacks both a national organisational structure and widespread public support, despite providing care for society’s most disabled and vulnerable people.
“For those who rely on the social care system, it’s unfair and overcomplicated. The focus of reform should be on sustainable entitlement to support, so that all those who need social care are able to lead as fulfilling a life as everyone else in society. This will require national leadership and coordination in a way that we haven’t seen before.”
Good services should not be available only to those that can afford them
“Faced with demographic changes that will increase demand for social care, the government foresees an ever-spiralling cost to the public purse that will require some payment from individuals for the services they receive. But we must not end up in a situation where services are available only to those who can afford them.
“Most people with a learning disability, and many with long-term mental health problems, are unable to work and so live on very little. It’s simply not realistic to expect them to accumulate enough money to make significant contributions to their social care funding. We must also recognise the role played by family carers, without whom the social care budget would be far higher. Any new system must offer friends and family of service users the support they deserve."
Ends
The Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities is part of the Mental Health Foundation. For more information contact the Foundation press office on 020 7803 1130/28
The Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities promotes the rights, quality of life and opportunities of people with learning disabilities and their families.
ENDS
Notes to editors
For more information, please contact the Mental Health Foundation’s press office on 020 7803 1128 / 1130.
The Mental Health Foundation uses research and practical projects to help people survive, recover from and prevent mental health problems. We work to influence policy, including government at the highest levels. And we use our knowledge to raise awareness and to help tackle the stigma attached to mental illness. We reach millions of people every year through our media work, information booklets and online services. Registered Charity No: (England & Wales) 801130: (Scotland) SC 039714.
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