Personal Care at Home Bill could affect Care Homes

This Bill, which has been introduced in the House of Commons and has received its second reading in the Lords, enables the Secretary of State to make regulations requiring personal care to be provided free to persons in their own homes, for an indefinite period. Section 15 of the Community Care (Delayed Discharges etc) Act 2003 currently allows local authorities to provide certain community care services free of charge for up to six weeks. The Bill amends s.15 to remove this time limit in respect of personal care at home for those in the greatest need.

The Government estimates that the Bill would help around 400,000 people with care needs and guarantee free personal care for the 280,000 people with the greatest need. The legislation is intended to be the first step towards establishing a new National Care Service. The plan will also provide 1.3 million people who need home care with help, including adaptations to their homes, so they can continue to live there for as long as possible. The Government is aiming for 60 percent of individuals to receive care in their homes, with the remaining 40 percent in residential care.

It is feared these plans could affect lower dependency care homes, forcing them out of business. However, on the converse side domiciliary care and nursing agencies are likely to benefit and the need to deliver specialised care is still expected to grow. Equally the aging population in the UK means that ultimately there should be an increased need for residential care further in the future.

The London Government Association, a voluntary lobbying organisation, acting as the voice of the local government sector has issued a briefing that highlights the key features of the Bill. See their website at www.lga.gov.uk