UK news: Home care changes may mean thousands lose out, say charities
Thousands of adults in England could lose access to home care under draft government guidelines, campaigners are warning. The regulations, which are subject to consultation, set out the care needs someone must have to qualify for council-funded care. Charities, including Age UK, say the criteria will lead to many people being shut out of the care system. But Care Minister Norman Lamb says the new system will be fairer. The changes, which will be introduced in April 2015, will see all local authorities in England use the same minimum guidelines for determining whether they should provide care. Councils currently fund care at one of four levels – low, moderate, substantial or critical. The proposed criteria are similar to the “substantial” category that most councils currently use. A table published by the Department of Health last year found 130 of the 152 councils that provide care, did so at the substantial level. Only three councils paid at the higher critical level, and ministers expect about 4,000 extra people living in those areas to become eligible for help, as the rules would be eased. But in 19 council areas, which currently pay for moderate or low needs, there are fears the amount of care provided will be reduced, because the criteria will become stricter.
Source/more: BBC