Kids and Conflict
Posted by Suzette
Supporting carers could save billions to public purse
A lack of support for carers is costing this country billions of pounds every year, according to a new report from The Princess Royal Trust for Carers and Crossroads Care.
The publication, Supporting Carers: The Case for Change, shows how funds to increase support for carers also benefits the people being cared for as well as reducing demand on other health and social care services.
Using evidence from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and peer reviewed journals, the report shows that increasing support for carers not only improves the health and wellbeing of patients and recipients of care but also improves the health and wellbeing of carers. It also reduces unwanted admissions, readmissions and delayed discharges in hospital settings as well as reducing unwanted residential care admissions and length of stays.
Policy and parliamentary officer, Gordon Conochie, counts the savings: ‘There are about 1.3 million delayed transfer of care days in England’s hospitals, partly caused by carers not being involved in discharge processes, costing an extra £150 million every year. We calculate that English councils are spending £1.5 billion more than they need to on residential care because they are failing to support carers and provide care in the home. To make that saving they need to increase investment in carers’ services by at least £119 million annually.’
The report also includes examples of services – breaks, counselling and training – that have shown success in helping carers maintain their health and quality of life and that of the person they care for.
Download “Supporting Carers: The Case for Change”
For more details on the services that work have a look at www.carershub.org
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A pleasently simple day
Posted by CrystalBlueWolf
I think Government is wrong to...
Posted by Simone
Comments
Now that the NHS is refusing
Now that the NHS is refusing to admit alcoholics/addicts for detoxification, instead sending them home to do so, a safe haven is desperately needed. Sadly many of these extremely vulnerable people neither have safety or empathy at home and my friend, Caroline and I, having been through the same and with a great deal of life experience between us, would like to be able to give these people shelter, empathy and hope. Our appeals have so far been met with hesitation due to cost but with your support we hope to be able to rekindle these people's desire to live and refer them to the appropriate support services following their crises.
We have managed to gain support for fund raising, for example from Watford Football Club, so that we can further our skills in first aid and Ascend so that we can develop a business plan but still require the housing and costs associated.
We would be truly grateful if you would help us.
Anne
but
If support for carers is
If support for carers is poor, it is OK. They usually suffer that lack of support in splendid isolation.
Rather than the local authority or the local Primary Care Trust having to spend money, time and effort, the carers are forced into exhaustion and poverty instead.
Here in the Knutsford area, our NHS Intermediate Care - Tatton Ward, was summarily closed last October, for good.
As a stated 'knock-on effect' Bexton Court Day and Respite Centre was also closed - for good - at the same time.
Social Transport for disabled adults was withdrawn, and there are currently moves afoot to close the Stanley Centre, where those adults go for their daily social life.
This 'saves money' for the Local Authority.
The fact that these people are then accommodated elsewhere, is the point where the 'big spend' comes.
They are carted - daily - across to Macclesfield, Congleton and other places, causing them great distress at the staff and building changes; losing their social circles, losing their precious time with their own caring families.
Their carers are then put to the expense, if the transport is available, of visiting to ensure that their very vulnerable loved ones are well-looked after, safe and happy.
This exhausting process of money, stress, exhaustion, then impacts more greatly on every carer, of those who adequately oversee what is happening. Of those who give up, there is the guilt and the risk to our most vulnnerable people.
Regular news bulletins make it very clear that the old and disabled are seen as a 'burden'. It is s very short, slippery slope from that to 'kindly allowing them to die'.
I could mention 'Mid-Staffs', Ralph Winstanley, Dr Shipman, and numerous others.
Our care for the Carers, is abysmally poor.. but the lip-service is good. The cover-ups are even better.
I feel that it is time that carers were out on the streets (in warm weather, naturally) protesting for change. They should be parked - with their loved ones - in front of the homes of every MP and Councillor, until such time as the light of reason is seen.
Surely that would be no more exhausting than what they currently suffer in isolation? And it would be a cross-sectional social life such as most would never otherwise experience.
Pic-nic parties could be called in fine weather, with shifts of people sitting, eating and drinking on lawns and avenues. Portable shelters could be brought for inclement weather and seats and braziers, for warmth and comfort.
Not many police stations would wish to provide a cell for numerous Carers with their multiply-needy loved ones. And think of the press coverage.
Aah! Pipe dreams, aren't they wonderful!
Hi Anne It might be worth
Hi Anne
It might be worth speaking to a specialist drug and alcohol charity, who may have the most knowledge and experience to help you.
You could try http://www.addaction.org.uk/
Good luck Anne
Gordon
Hi, There has to be reform
Hi,
There has to be reform with the Carers in the UK and I would like to bullet point my idea as follows,
1, The UK Government to create a out sourced "Carer provider" company.
2, The money given to Carers is given to the Carer provider company instead.
3, The newly established Carer provider company will employee FT/PT Carers.
4, The Carer has his/her dignity intact.
5, The Carer provider company will have a Head Office to deal with any problems and to improve the regional Carer provider centres services on a continual basis.
The above is the best way forward.
No. It is just another way of
No. It is just another way of stripping Carers of their right to care,andtheir right ot resources. Any outsourced Carer provider compnay will not act unless it makes a handsome profit. That takesresources away from Carers. It also removes the bond of Carers who are still - just - able to act together.
Local Authorities need to accept the responsibility for which they have happily accepted the funding for many years, whilst splitting it into little bureaucratic empires.
It's time that 'a public service' became a public service.
We pay, we expect the help, the help for which we pay should be available at the point of need. And we sholdn't have to beg.
Carers are states, by Cheshire East Council to save Cheshire East Council in excess of £500 million per year.
What is certain isthat politicians who make plans, rarely get those plans into practical working order.
If The Princess Royal Trust for Carers wants to help Carers, it needs to get up and shout about what we need, not pussyfoot around 'diplomatically' begging for this or that, as Carers fall to their knees and then to the floor.
Carers don't need 'pampering days out all together' but peace of mind, freedom of action, the right to Care and the help where needed.
Never mind kow-towing to the political will.
It's time the political will kow-towed to the people who pay the bill.
I always read with interest
I always read with interest the many coments or so called ways to help the carers of the uk .... nothing however comes to fruition because no-one cares !!!the politicions have benn barking on about the lack of standards for the care of the vulnerable but still insist on beating up the carers any which way they can ...
mainly cutting all the services to a non existance level and still bark on about the lack of care that is available...if all else fails blame the carers..they should provide the best care there is ..ask news at ten.. why dont they provide the news as to how it really is that carers are existing on fresh air in some cases and become debt ridden combine the lack of respect and the phenomenal responsabilty that carers are coping with and people wonder why they reach breaking point
WE the carers are being victimised by governments past and present, ITS our fault there are no resources ..Its our fault that we have vulnerable people both young and elderly to care for ..Its our fault that we are reduced to BELOW LEGAL POVERTY almost overnight...Its our fault that we are being victimised for SCROUNGING FOR BENEFITS...and in the face of all that we the carers must provide the best care possIble so tell me HOW IN GODS NAME CAN WE DO THIS???
Pray Tell me why that mumsnet website gets mentioned on several occassions by the Camerons of this world in the house of commons,but the carers IN THE UK are treated like that they dont exist we dont even get a nod!!!!!
...this has been going on for decades..if the governments really cared they would have done somthing by now!!!!! instead of ringfencing their own expense accounts!!
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