LTC
A Government green paper has revealed plans to give individuals greater freedom when choosing their state-funded long term care (LTC) provision.
Independence, Well-being and Choice: Our Vision for the Future of Social Care for Adults in England, proposes to give people on State support personal budgets that reveal how much the local authority has allocated to them.
They will then be given the freedom to spend their allocation on whatever they see fit. The Department of Health has announced however that no extra funding will be made available for the changes.
Commenting on the publication of the consultation paper, Health Secretary John Reid, said: "Social care should be about helping people maintain their independence, giving them real control over their lives and giving them real choice in the services they use."
LTC specialists have cast doubt on whether the Government's plans are actually achievable. "To achieve their vision will be a tall order for the simple reason that if no extra funds are made available little should change," said Nicky Cave, head of Millfield Care Partnership. "The only difference would be that those who qualify for State funding should get their benefits in a different format," she added.
