News Release: 30 January 2008
In response to the release of the State of Social Care report from the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI), Toby Willamson, Associate Head of Service Improvement and Workforce Development at the Mental Health Foundation, said:
“We welcome the fact that this report has prompted the government to investigate inconsistencies in the application of eligibility criteria in social care. While much is made of postcode lotteries within the National Health Service, it’s easy to forget that such discrepancies are extremely widespread in the social care system, which is based on a patchwork system of local provision.
News that many councils will only be providing care to those with substantial or critical needs will be distressing for the many vulnerable people who fall outside those definitions. While restricting access to services is often done because of financial pressures, the denial of care to a person with so-called moderate needs is likely to allow their condition to worsen, requiring more expensive services in the long term.
CSCI’s report also shows the simplistic labels that are often inappropriately given to people with complex needs – a person with early onset dementia for example will change on their 65th birthday from being an adult with a mental health problem to an older person without any substantial change in their actual condition. What is needed is a more sophisticated appreciation of the complexity of people’s lives, so that services can be more responsive to their needs.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
For more information please contact Simon Loveland on 020 7803 1130 or email sloveland@mhf.org.uk
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.
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