WRVS response to Health Committee report on social care

Tuesday, 07 February 2012

WRVS calls for a decisive leap towards joining up health and social care responding to the Health Select Committee inquiry report.

David McCullough, Chief Executive of WRVS said:  “Delivering 21st-century health services will hinge on us switching considerable resources into keeping older people in their own homes and  breaking the cycle of isolation that faces many people from their seventies onwards.

“The select committee is right to pinpoint the fact that despite strong intentions from ministers this just isn’t happening at the pace we need. As we look ahead to years of tight resources, the new health and wellbeing boards need to move money into services that intervene early to reduce older people’s vulnerability to poor health.

“Our work has shown that providing support at crucial times like settling people back into their homes after a major operation, will be central to us managing demand for health services in lean times. WRVS volunteers have bridged that gap through a whole range of positive and practical services, such as supporting older people to continue do food shopping; making sure their houses are warm and cupboards well stocked when they are discharged from hospital or advising them about where to go to make changes to the design of their homes.

“The support is relatively cheap for the taxpayer but the rewards are considerable. The select committee is right to say this is an investment we must make.”

The full report can be read here