Stunell launches fair care for older people campaign

4.01.14pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 30th Jun 2006

This week in Westminster, Hazel Grove MP, Andrew Stunell joined with the Local Government Association to launch a new campaign, 'Fair Care for Older People'. Every council in England is taking part in a campaign for better resourced social services to help older people get the care they deserve so they can lead free, dignified and independent lives.

Speaking at the launch, Mr Stunell said:

"I am delighted to launch this timely campaign to ensure older people get the care they need and deserve.

"I have case after case locally where over-stretched social services just cannot provide the help needed. There is a black hole of £600 million in social care budgets across the country this year.

"Local councils are uniquely placed to ensure that older people in the community receive care at the right time and in the right place. Yet as costs rise and budgets shrink, councils are forced to tighten their eligibility criteria for care, stopping many older people from getting the care they deserve and prohibiting preventative services."

According to Mr Stunell there has to be a switch to help more older people cope in their own homes:

"Prevention is better than care" he told his audience. ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. For photos of the event, or more details, please contact Jane Allen, 0207 2195223

2. For a copy of the Local Government Association's Fair Care Campaign, please see http://www.lga.gov.uk/Publication.asp?lSection=0&id=SX9BA6-A783B751