Menu
23/08/2012
Councils Urged To Reduce Expenditure On Social Care Assessments
Councils could release more than £300m to spend on direct care for older people, if they reduced their expenditure on social care assessments and reviews to that of the most efficient councils.
That sum would fund annual home care packages for nearly 20,000 older people.
The Audit Commission report, Reducing the cost of assessments and reviews, shows that the number and cost of assessments and reviews have increased significantly in recent years. The increases partly follow changes in policy, such as the move towards personalisation of care. However, this does not explain the differences in unit cost across councils.
The Commission found that the cheapest councils spend about half the amount of the most expensive councils on each assessment and review, while undertaking a similar volume of work and reaching the same quality standards. Many councils will be able to make significant savings by identifying and eliminating the causes of cost variation.
Andy McKeon, Managing Director, said: "Assessments and reviews are a crucial element of social care, enabling individuals' needs to be properly identified and met. However, our evidence suggests that councils can spend less and still do an excellent job in helping people receive the care that they need.
"As councils struggle to meet the needs of a growing older population with less cash, any opportunity to save money and redirect it into care should be pursued enthusiastically."
(CD)
That sum would fund annual home care packages for nearly 20,000 older people.
The Audit Commission report, Reducing the cost of assessments and reviews, shows that the number and cost of assessments and reviews have increased significantly in recent years. The increases partly follow changes in policy, such as the move towards personalisation of care. However, this does not explain the differences in unit cost across councils.
The Commission found that the cheapest councils spend about half the amount of the most expensive councils on each assessment and review, while undertaking a similar volume of work and reaching the same quality standards. Many councils will be able to make significant savings by identifying and eliminating the causes of cost variation.
Andy McKeon, Managing Director, said: "Assessments and reviews are a crucial element of social care, enabling individuals' needs to be properly identified and met. However, our evidence suggests that councils can spend less and still do an excellent job in helping people receive the care that they need.
"As councils struggle to meet the needs of a growing older population with less cash, any opportunity to save money and redirect it into care should be pursued enthusiastically."
(CD)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
01 April 2009
New Law To Strengthen Protection Of Vulnerable People
Some of the most vulnerable people in society will be better protected against abuse and poor care as a result of new legislation coming into force today. People who lack capacity in hospitals and care homes will now be protected by a new law nown as the 'Mental Capacity Act Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards'.
New Law To Strengthen Protection Of Vulnerable People
Some of the most vulnerable people in society will be better protected against abuse and poor care as a result of new legislation coming into force today. People who lack capacity in hospitals and care homes will now be protected by a new law nown as the 'Mental Capacity Act Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards'.
04 July 2011
Fairer Adult Social Care Funding Sought
Costs would be capped and the means-tested threshold increased under major changes to the funding of adult social care in England, recommended today by the Commission on Funding of Care and Support in its final report Fairer Care Funding.
Fairer Adult Social Care Funding Sought
Costs would be capped and the means-tested threshold increased under major changes to the funding of adult social care in England, recommended today by the Commission on Funding of Care and Support in its final report Fairer Care Funding.
30 March 2009
Regulation For Health And Adult Social Care Providers Published
A new framework to regulate the safety and quality of health and social care services was published today by the Department of Health, ahead of the new Care Quality Commission coming into effect on 1 April 2009.
Regulation For Health And Adult Social Care Providers Published
A new framework to regulate the safety and quality of health and social care services was published today by the Department of Health, ahead of the new Care Quality Commission coming into effect on 1 April 2009.
15 December 2005
Councils urged to provide better value for money
Councils in England have been urged to provide better value for money. In its fourth annual assessment of council performance, the Audit Commission said that most councils in England are performing well, although some were “finding improvement a challenge”. The report published the first results for councils under the new Harder Test framework.
Councils urged to provide better value for money
Councils in England have been urged to provide better value for money. In its fourth annual assessment of council performance, the Audit Commission said that most councils in England are performing well, although some were “finding improvement a challenge”. The report published the first results for councils under the new Harder Test framework.
14 May 2015
£18m Funding For Health Research In Wales
A number of significant research projects into cancer, public health, primary and emergency care, as well as mental health are to benefit from an £18m by the Welsh Government, it has been announced.
£18m Funding For Health Research In Wales
A number of significant research projects into cancer, public health, primary and emergency care, as well as mental health are to benefit from an £18m by the Welsh Government, it has been announced.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Continuing cloudy through the evening with further outbreaks of rain, the rain turning lighter and patchier from the south as the night progresses. Winds remain light. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
