October 2022 Care providers limiting or failing to provide care using cost as justification
The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has highlighted that there is are a growing number of cases where councils or independent care providers are limiting care or failing to provide it, using cost pressures as justification.
In the Annual Review of Adult Social Care Complaints 2021/2022, the Ombudsman service highlights trends in complaints it has received and investigated about both care provision by councils and independent providers, including that:
2,596 complaints and enquiries were received about adult social care
70 per cent of the cases the Ombudsman investigated about social care were upheld (a higher uphold rate than the 66 per cent average across all areas it investigates) and
631 service improvement recommendations were made that include recommendations to review or create policies and procedures, train staff, improve communication with families, and improve record keeping.
The Ombudsman said that the nature of these complaints indicated a system with a growing disconnect between the care to which people are entitled, and the ability of councils to meet those needs. Care assessments, care planning and charging for care have been key features and a common theme is councils failing to provide care, or limiting it, and justifying this because of the cost.
Font size 
Copyright 2012 Latitude Consortium Ltd.
About our Cookies