Health Story

04 July 2009 07:34 BST

Social services 'should have NHS funds'

Extra funding expected to be earmarked for the NHS should be diverted to social services, the Local Government Association (LGA) said today.

It is calling for an extra 0.5 per cent of funding likely to be given to the health service under next month's comprehensive spending review to instead be spent on preventative services for the growing numbers of the elderly in England.

The LGA believes this would save money for the NHS in the long run and improve quality of life for older people.

Without the money, LGA chairman Sir Simon Milton warned that councils may be forced to make cuts in the number of free social services.

In a letter to council leaders, Sir Simon said the situation is "quite stark" and claimed councils would face "real difficulties" if extra funding is not given.

"In the next three years alone, there will be more than 400,000 more older people, many of whom will require social care," he said.

"Without additional funding, local government may potentially face a situation, by as early as 2009, where it cannot afford to provide support to 370,000 people with lower levels of need."

Sir Simon added: "There is a strong and compelling argument for ministers to invest in preventative services, provided by councils, for older people in their homes. This would save the NHS money, and consequently provide better value for money for the taxpayer."