Adult Social Care 2020-01-28
2020-01-28
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
▸
Context
The Institute for Fiscal Studies reports that over 1.8 million older and disabled people are currently without necessary support to live independently.
According to the IFS, more than 1.8 million older and disabled individuals lack the required support to maintain independent living. This crisis is exacerbated by the abolition of the Independent Living Fund and cuts amounting to nearly £8 billion from adult social care budgets since 2017 when a Green Paper was anticipated but never materialized. Given that the Prime Minister promised last summer to 'fix' this issue, can the Government now provide details on their upcoming plans?
We are committed to fixing social care and have set out a requirement under the Care Act 2014 for councils to meet eligible needs, with additional funding reaching £17.9 billion in 2018-19; the highest ever recorded. Since 2016-17, there has been a 7% increase in spending on adult social care. The Prime Minister intends to introduce plans this year after seeking consensus across political parties and organisations.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
▸
Context
Northamptonshire is undergoing local government reorganisation, providing an opportunity for innovative proposals.
Taking advantage of imminent local government reorganisation in Northamptonshire, will the Minister continue to encourage local councils and the two local hospitals to bring forward innovative proposals under one budget for an integrated health and social care pilot in Northamptonshire?
My hon. Friend has already been a really good champion of collaborative health and social care work. He has made some excellent suggestions, and we have seen how things such as the better care fund can have a positive effect for local communities. I encourage his local area to look closely at how that sort of work can be maximised and moved forward.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3
Direct Answer
▸
Context
Rural communities face unique challenges due to low population density, which can make it difficult for needs to be identified.
As the Minister will know, the particular problem in rural areas is that need is not just unmet, but unseen. What steps has the Minister taken, or what does she have in mind, to fix the situation and find that need so that it can be met?
My hon. Friend is right to draw attention to rural sparsity and the challenges facing rural communities. We are committed to undertake a review of relative needs and resources, which will be a thorough evidence-based review of the costs facing all authorities, including how factors such as rurality, sparsity and other geographical features affect the cost of delivering services across the country.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q4
Direct Answer
▸
Context
The Pinn Medical Centre in Eastbourne is closing its walk-in service due to budget constraints, potentially diverting patients to local A&E departments.
For the record, I declare my interest as the spouse of an NHS doctor. The Pinn Medical Centre in my constituency is due to close its walk-in service so that the Harrow CCG can save money, but the likely diversion of patients to local A&E services will end up costing the NHS more. Will the Minister join me in encouraging the CCG to consider the wider context of NHS budgets and to support the service while local NHS providers consider how to increase access to GP appointments?
My hon. Friend is right to highlight the importance of access to primary and community services within Pinner. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will be happy to meet him to discuss the matter further, but we will support anything he is doing to assist his local services.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy