Responding to the publication of the Government’s adult social care winter plan and the Social Care COVID-19 Support Taskforce report, Cllr Ian Hudspeth, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, said:
“Winter presents the greatest challenge yet to our social care services during this crisis, which this plan acknowledges and builds on support already in place.
“Councils and care providers have been working constantly throughout the pandemic to support our elderly and most vulnerable people, despite facing huge pressures. While we understand the Government will want clear oversight of the developing situation, further monitoring requirements should not place any unnecessary burdens on providers and councils’ vital ongoing work.
“Free supplies of PPE is good and the right distribution needs to be in place to make sure supplies reach the frontline on time. Councils and providers should also be compensated for PPE already purchased for COVID-19 to date. These measures should be backed up by ensuring everyone in the community who needs a test can get one.
“Funding should also be kept under regular review, to make sure councils and providers are in the best possible position to respond to a potential second wave and able to increase capacity for care at home, which will be essential to meet demand through the winter.”
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