Walsall care budget slashed
29 Aug 09 00:01 Filed in: News
Walsall Council care budget slashed
The YamYam 29 August 09
Elderly and disabled people in Walsall face a massive £1 million reduction in residential and home care in a desperate effort to cut costs.
Council chiefs who run social care, health and housing in the borough are predicting that there will be a deficit of £1.6 million by the end of this year and will respond by withdrawing services.
A report to be tabled at the Social Care and Inclusion Scrutiny Committee on 3rd September will also recommend that a further £500,000 of extra funding already allocated to support vulnerable people will be frozen. In a further attempt to save money, a temporary social worker will be employed to “accelerate” care package reviews in the hope that services for the elderly and people with disabilities can be cut.
Dave Martin, head of social care in Walsall said: “This is just us being open and accountable to the scrutiny committee. In terms of the overall budget, it is certainly not a cause for alarm.”
Bob the Black County Brummie 29 Aug The big debate
Express & Star 19 Aug Walsall Council pull plug on Willenhall day centre
Express & Star 3 Aug Council pull plug on Streetly OAP centre
Express & Star 24 Jul Beechdale day centre jobs axe sparks controversy
Walsall Council 21 Jul Adults and older people
Walsall Council 21 Jul Changes to social care for adults
Walsall Council 19 Jul Day care
Express & Star 15 Jul Plan for new charges at luxury care homes
B'ham Post 10 Jun Recession and demographics causing a 'perfect storm' for pensioners
The Times 1 Jun Elderly left at risk by NHS bidding wars to find cheapest care with reverse auctions
BBC News 15 May (video) Walsall home care system 'in chaos'