Social Services Consultation.

Adult Social Services Report

November 2009

Independent Living / The Big Care Debate

Adult Social care is one of the three top priorities the Government have identified and currently there is on website the Government’s Green Paper.
You may wish to read the relevant documents on www.careandsupport@direct.gov.uk and on www.orderline.dh.gov.uk
 

At the recent Adult Social Services conference in Harrogate Phil Hope Cabinet Minister for Adult Social Care showed his and the government’s commitment by staying right through the entire conference (first time it happened) and has met Labour Delegates from up and down the country to listen and hopefully take the suggestions on board. Andy Burnham M.P. did deliver a very good speech as indeed Ed Balls and were very critical of the Tories not willing to come out with any policies but just attacking the government. All speakers emphasised the need to mention the very good things Labour Government have achieved and has listed a number of initiatives taken by the Labour Government and the investment in front line services.

Phil Hope suggested three options on care at the end of life.

An insurance policy where everyone takes up a policy for £25,000.00 or a one paid off sum of £17,000.00 or a partnership approach where the state may share the costs with the individual. Following a recent consultation the feelings are quite mixed at the moment and there are no clear indications as to where the majority of people will go for mainly I believe it is because people have not read the Green Paper or want more clarification.

The Big Care debate is under way as recent figures showing by 2030 about 2 million more people will
Need care and support and by the same time (2030) a quarter of million people
will be 85 years of age or above that.

Local authorities will be supported by the Government (as there is an acute shortage) in encouraging school leavers to be trained in the Adult Social Care.
Local Councils are having to employ to a large extend Agency Staff.
The current situation is far from satisfactory and the users of services are having to put up with getting to know new carers.
Hopefully the new contract with private sector may allow users to have the services of carers who are familiar with the needs the culture and way of life habits and customs.
During the last Adult Social Services scrutiny panel it was strongly emphasised by the Labour side that the providers who specialise and cater for the needs of the ethnic community be considered to provide a service to parts of the community that prefer and require such service.
 

Carers Centre

As there is a shortage of carers in Enfield and in view of the Green Paper proposals to encourage people to live independently there may be a need to train more carers.

In addition to that a pilot scheme to help people at the early stage of been diagnosed with dementia is to train the sufferer to get into a routine where the progress of dementia may be slowed.. a pilot scheme is under way and we in Enfield are spending a small amount of money towards this new scheme as another borough has begun this pilot.

It is not clear though whether this will bring the results we all expect. It is at an early stage but no one has come forward to say it definitely going to work.

George Savva 020 8351 1385

Lead on Adult Social Services for the Labour Group in Enfield
 

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                                       Very Important Please reply.

                          Thank You.

Please fill questionaire below and either reply by email on gsavva49@hotmail.co.uk and not later than  Saturday      31/10/2009 Thank You.

Dear All,


My name is George Savva and I am a councillor in Enfield sitting on the Adult Social Services Scrutiny Panel, on the Personalisation of Care , Mental Health and other Adult Social Services related panels and working groups.

I am the Shadow Cabinet rmember  on behalf of the Labour Group in  the London Borough of Enfield.

This website was set up some time to enable you to contact me as our councillor in Enfield and to  give you on the other hand information and any changes in policy that may be of interest. Below I set  afew questions and will like to habve back some feedback as to what your thoughts are.

It takes only 3 minute to fill the question and if you have any queries please contact me on 020 8807 7824

The Government are considering Adult Social Services as one of the top 3 priorities and 430 million pounds are to be spend to improve services in co operation with the the Local Councils and the Voluntary and private sectors.

Further £5 billion will be made available to local authorities to provide better care and improve end of life care. You may have heard rumours that the Disability Living Allowance will be abolished .This could not be further from the truth The Government will never abolish D.L.A. (9Disability Living allowance)
The Green paper is currently under consultation and the white paper will be ready in the new year.This is what is happening on a national level.


The local council in Enfield is considering cutting £5 million on Adult Social Services.

There are going to be some very tough decisions made.

To help us get an idea as to what you consider to be important in Enfield and what services you consider need to be improved as far as Adult Social Services are concerned please can you spend a few minutes in answering a small list questions below.

This is to help us get an idea on what you consider to be important for the elderly and the disabled in Enfield.

Yiou can transfer this onto you email and give your answers that way


1) Do you believe care in the home is important  Yes .No. Do not Know


2) More residential care homes run by the council.

  Yes No Do not Know


 3)Personalisation of Care is better than Direct .Payments. 

Yes No Do not Know


4) Carers Centre providing support to Carers.

Yes No Do Not Know


5) Improvement in Respite Care    Yes. No. Do not know


6) Promoting Independent Living    Yes. No. Do Not know


7) Meals on Wheels to continue. Yes. No. Do Not Know


8) Local Councils to to cut down waiting time
on individual assessment       Yes. No. Do not Know.



And the
two final ones are.

9) Do you welcome the Goverment Green Paper proposal to give those in high need free care


10) Do you also welcome the Government proposal for people to pay £17,000.00 as one off payment for free care at the end of life. This could be paid in instalments.Do you agree to have an insurance for £25,000.00 for end of life care.

Please note the Tory proposal to pay £8,000.00 has been withdrawn by the Tories as this
is a non starter.


Please include any other comments and points that you consider to be important

Please reply by Friday 30/10/09.

Thank you for completing the questionaire.

You can also get more information on the Government's  Green Paper for the Big Care Debate.from www.careandsupport@direct.gov.uk  and from www.orderline.dh.gov.uk


Kind regards



George Savva M.B.E.

email gsavva49@hotmail.co.uk



Tel 020 8351 1385