Debbie meets with Saddleworth Carers Group in Uppermill
Debbie meets with Saddleworth Carers Group at the Sacred Heart church in Uppermill – photo Saddleworth News
Reporter: Stuart Littleford
Debbie Abrahams, Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Oldham East and Saddleworth, has met with the Saddleworth Carers Group at the Sacred Heart church in Uppermill, to discuss the work she has been doing to develop a Dementia Friendly Oldham and a Dementia Friendly Parliament – they also discussed the social care crisis.
Debbie said: “There are now over 6000 Dementia Friends across Oldham and Saddleworth and I was the first MP to train as a Dementia Friend’s Champion. As Chair of the All Party Group on Dementia, there has been good progress in the improvements in both treatment and care for people with dementia. Unfortunately Theresa May’s social care policy has meant that fewer and fewer people have access to the support they need in their homes. Monday’s rowing back on the Conservative’s announcement that anyone who needs social care in their home would now have to pay for it themselves if they have savings or a home worth more than £100,000 has thrown Theresa May’s own election campaign into chaos and confusion.
“Four days after the manifesto launch she said she would put a cap on these social care costs, but has been unable to say what the cap would be, leading to uncertainty for millions of older people and their families.
“This is weak and unstable leadership.
“Two recent reports, one by the LGA Council Leaders and another by the CQC, said social care services are facing an ‘existential crisis’ and are at a ‘tipping point’.
Members of the group – photo Saddleworth news
“These reports confirm the shocking truth about the state of social care across the country and it’s affecting people here in Saddleworth and Oldham.
“Elderly and vulnerable people and their families are being let down by the Government’s cuts to social care and the blame for the crisis in care lies squarely at their door.
“We cannot expect councils to shoulder the increasing financial burden of social care, while Whitehall cuts mean they are less and less able to shoulder that burden.
“It’s time the Government faced its responsibility for creating this crisis in social care, and take action to give councils the funds they need.”
Dr Eamon O’Daly, chair of the Saddleworth Carers’ Group said: “The talk of a ‘dementia tax’ and the disarray surrounding the Conservative’s social care policies over the last week or so makes life very worrying especially for older people or those with disabilities. Carers, and those who need care, just want clarity and an assurance from the Government that they understand the issues affecting us.”
Author: Jude Gidney - Editor
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