The Government has announced £40m to improve social care capacity as it aims to relieve pressure on hospitals over the winter.
The social care funding comes alongside £200m to support the NHS as the season’s increased pressures are combined with ‘ongoing pressure’ from industrial action.
Health minister Helen Whately said the £40m would ‘improve social care capacity, boost discharge rates and avoid unnecessary admissions, freeing up hospital beds and reducing waits for care.’
Local authorities can bid for the social care funding, which can be used for admissions avoidance services and home care packages that help people leave hospital more quickly and regain their independence, the Department for Health and Social Care said.
The funding can also be spent on specialist dementia support in the community.
Care England chief executive Professor Martin Green welcomed the £40m investment to support the ‘crucial role’ adult social care plays in keeping people out of hospitals.
However, Professor Green warned: ‘This funding will only be successful if there is true collaboration and partnership with care providers.
‘Integrated Care System and local authority leaders must work pragmatically with care providers to determine how this funding will best serve to improve outcomes.
‘We have too often seen small, temporary funding injections lost in system bureaucracy without serving to materially improve care. We must strive to ensure a new future is realised.’
