Age UK responds to CQC State of Care report

Age UK has responded to the Care Quality Commission report which warned that adult social care in England is 'approaching tipping point.'

Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director for Age UK, said:

'When any regulator says that it is worried that a service may be reaching a tipping point ‎in terms of quality and sustainability - and when the trend is constantly downhill - it is clearly time for very serious concern.

'Everything we hear from older people and their families and from our local Age UKs reinforces the CQC's view: because of lack of money and the drip drip closure of care providers it is becoming ever harder to find good, affordable care - in your own home or in a care home.

'The inherent vulnerability of older people who need social care makes it one of our most important public services and while the Government has tried to prop up the system through measures like the Better Care Fund and the social care precept it is obvious that these do not go far enough.

Next month's Autumn Statement is an opportunity for the Government to give social care the priority it deserves in terms of public spending and this report shows how important it is that the Government acts. Otherwise 'a tipping point' threatens to become something infinitely worse, placing many older people at risk of harm.'

-Ends-

Media contact: Liz Fairweather

Tel: 0203 033 1718

Out of hours:  07071 243 243