According to a new survey from the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services, local councils are being pushed to overspend on care as people’s requirements after hospital become more intense.
In the latest annual survey from ADASS, people with illnesses and disabilities need more complex care and support, but local councils are struggling to meet those needs due to financial troubles. The survey has identified a 7.5% increase in the number of people who require multiple visits from two or more care workers since last year, which results in further council costs due to this resulting in a need for additional care workers.
According to directors, the rise in complex care has come thanks to the push to discharge people from hospitals faster, with the average size of care packages for hospital leavers increasing in 76% of council areas over the last year. This is reflective of the fact that many older people, and adults with disabilities, need additional social care support after being discharged.
This increase in councils’ requirements for providing more complex care has led to risks that those who need low-level, earlier support at home could miss out, or their needs could escalate.
Melanie Williams, President of ADASS, said:
“This report shows an unsustainable and worrying picture for the 4 out of 5 of us needing adult social care in the future and sends a clear message that we can’t keep doing more of the same. Instead of focusing on investment in hospitals and freeing up beds, the new Government must shift to investing in more social care, supporting unpaid carers, and providing healthcare in our local community to prevent people reaching crisis point and ending up in hospital in the first place.
“Without investment in early care and support at home or the community, spending more on the NHS is like pouring water down a sink with no plug in. This approach is also better for us all in terms of mental health, sense of independence and overall wellbeing.
“The next Government must have the courage to commit to a long-term, fully funded solution for social care and shift from short-term crisis management, especially during winter, to more care at home in the long term. Care at home is better for all involved, but also makes more financial sense.”
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