Leading Watchdog: Elderly Care Suffering as a Result of Cuts

A leading elderly care watchdog has warned that severe cuts to the UK budget could lead to a severe decrease in the quality of elderly care.

Andrea Sutcliffe, the chief inspector of Adult Social Care, said the cutbacks were putting carers under “stress and strain” and could lead to a rise in poor care and negligence. The news comes following a survey that showed there were on average 150 incidents of abuse to those in care being lodged on a daily basis.

Danger of Overworked Carers

Earlier this year a Freedom of Information request found the Care Quality Commission was informed of 30,000 allegations of abuse involving people using social care services in the first six months of this year.

The warning from the Adult Social Care watchdog stated that due to cuts and a shortage of members of staff could lead to carers being overworked and lead to issues with care. Speaking on the factors that were resulting in a failed duty of care and could lead to carers not being the carers that they need to be Ms Sutcliffe said: “The social care sector is certainly under stress and strain. And that is a combination of all sorts of factors - the increased numbers of people who need care and support, the increased complexity of their needs."

Department of Health spokesman said: “Abuse and neglect are completely unacceptable at all times, and whatever the cause, we are determined to stamp them out.

"We need to understand what lies behind these figures - an increase in awareness and reporting of abuse is to be welcomed so that proper action can be taken.

“Treating someone with dignity and compassion doesn’t cost anything. We’re making sure we recruit people with the right values and skills by introducing a “fit and proper person” test for directors and a care certificate for front-line staff.

“The CQC’s new tougher inspection regime will also help to make sure that if abuse does occur, it’s caught quickly and dealt with.”

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