Dr Eleanor Roy, CIPFA Health and Social Care Policy Manager said:
''We’re glad to see recognition of the pressures on local government in responding to this outbreak through the allocation of the COVID-19 Response Fund. This will provide vital additional support to services which have a pivotal role to play at this time.
The requirement relating to hospital discharges will clearly place a significant burden on already strained social care services, and it is encouraging to see that the government has provided assurance that they will fully fund the cost of social care support packages related to this.
''What is needed now is detailed information on how the funding for local government will be deployed – and more importantly when it will be available to allow them to act as swiftly as possible. Clarity on the additional resources available to those supporting vulnerable people will be vital as we go forwards.’’
ENDS
For further information please contact the CIPFA press office on T: 020 7543 5647 or E: allison.kroll@cipfa.org
Notes to Editor:
- £2.9bn of the £5bn COVID-19 Response Fund will be in support of the most vulnerable in society.
- £1.6bn of this has been allocated to local government in support of the wide range of services they provide.
- £1.3bn is allocated to NHS organisations to support immediate hospital discharges, this will include commissioning social care support packages required for those individuals discharged from hospital. This is intended to free up 15,000 hospital beds.
- Guidance on hospital discharges also details that patient funding eligibility criteria will be temporarily suspended.
- In accordance with previous guidance many local authorities are putting in place arrangements to support the social care provider market by paying in advance for planned care.
View the government press release
here.
About CIPFA
CIPFA, the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, is the professional body for people in public finance. CIPFA shows the way in public finance globally, standing up for sound public financial management and good governance around the world as the leading commentator on managing and accounting for public money.