A revolution in social care funding is required to address Oldham’s failing care homes according to Liberal Democrat Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE. Research carried out by the online care home comparison site ‘Lottie’, found that Oldham ranked within the bottom ten local authorities for care home provision in the UK.
Councillor Sykes said, “This is a damning revelation. The UK has an ageing population. It’s estimated that the demand for social care will rise 50% to nearly 1.5 million people by 2039. Yet in this year’s Queen’s Speech, the Conservative government haven’t brought forward a single measure on social care. Nothing short of a social care funding revolution is needed if we are going to address this problem.”
“The government must act to ensure that social care does not become a postcode lottery, with those in less affluent communities always holding the losing ticket. To get this right for future generations we need to properly support unpaid careers, fund community social care and drive-up care home standards right across the board,” added councillor Sykes.
The Liberal Democrats have called for an extra 1p on every pound of income tax, to raise £7billion each year for social care.
Oldham is currently listed as the eighth worst local authority in the UK according to Lottie.
Councillor Sykes said, “This news will not reassure anyone in Oldham borough who is facing the decision of whether or not to place a loved one in an Oldham care home. The government has kicked the can down the road for long enough and now urgent action is required.”
Best and worst elderly care according to Lottie data