William Eichler 17 February 2023

Charity calls for preventative care to save ‘overstretched’ NHS

Charity calls for preventative care to save ‘overstretched’ NHS image
Image: pikselstock/Shutterstock.com.

An older person’s charity has called for more investment into preventative care to help ease the pressure on the ‘under-funded and overstretched’ NHS and social care system.

A new report from Age UK has found that 2.6 million people over 50 have unmet social care needs. This increases to 15% of people in their 70s, and 21% of people in their 80s.

The charity’s report, entitled Fixing the Foundations, also found that the proportion of older people feeling supported to manage their condition has been ‘falling consistently’. It is down almost 20% in relative terms since 2016/17.

Unplanned hospital admissions have also been rising and have become more frequent, particularly for the elderly, according to the charity’s findings.

In order to ensure the elderly receive care promptly and are not forced to go to hospital, Age UK is calling for more focus on – and investment in – preventative care.

'The crisis in the NHS is largely a crisis in older people’s preventive care, and if we’re to avoid another catastrophic winter in nine months’ time we need to act now to fix it,' a charity spokesperson said.

Integrated Care Systems (ICS) should develop comprehensive strategies for meeting the health and social care needs of older people at home, and in care homes, living in their areas, the charity says.

There also needs to be social care reform and a better paid health and social care workforce to help fill the 165,000 vacant posts in the social care system.

‘[F]ar too many older people are ending up in hospital, needing crisis care, because we are failing to provide them with the joined up, more preventive health and care services that would help them to manage in their own homes,’ said Caroline Abrahams, Age UK charity director.

‘Then, too many are getting stuck in a hospital bed when medically fit to leave because there’s no social care to support them at home. It’s an entirely predictable vicious circle and one that’s causing enormous heartache and distress for our older population – and huge difficulties for the NHS too.’

Responding to the report, Cllr David Fothergill, chairman of the Local Government Association (LGA) Community Wellbeing Board, repeated the LGA’s call for £13bn of investment in the social care system.

‘Preventative care and support is an absolutely crucial part of our social care system. Delivering the right care at home doesn’t just reduce the need for hospitalisation, it also allows people to live an equal life with the dignity they deserve,’ he said.

‘Too often there is too much focus on the back door of hospitals, when we need just as much focus on preventing people entering through the front door in the first place.

‘This is only possible with sufficient funding. We have consistently said that £13bn is needed for social care so that its many pressures can be addressed and councils can deliver on all of their statutory duties including those related to preventing or delaying the onset of conditions which, if left unsupported, can lead to hospital admissions. This is the level of investment needed to ensure people of all ages can live an equal life and reduce the need for hospital treatment.’

The £37,000 SEND Problem image

The £37,000 SEND Problem

Natalie Kenneison, COO at Imosphere, argues that the real SEND funding crisis isn’t just about budgets - it’s about the systems behind the decisions.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Family Support Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 6 - £27,269 - £30,060 (Pay award pending)
Do you have a real passion for helping families to make positive changes for themselves and their children? This might be the right role for you!   WH Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Clerical Officer Receptionist

Durham County Council
Grade 3 £24,404 - £25,183 Pro Rata to hours worked Pay award pending
WHAT IS INVOLVED? We are looking to appoint a part time Clerical officer/Receptionist within Business Services to provide a professional, effective a Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Administration Assistant

Durham County Council
£25,584 - £27,711 pro rata
Administration Assistant Grade 5    £25,584 - £27,711 pro rata Temporary – required from 1st October 2025 until 31 December 2025 37 hours per week, Te Consett
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Support Assistant

Durham County Council
£24,027 pro rata
Support Assistant Grade 1 £24,027 pro rata Temporary – required from 1st October 2025 until 31st October 2026 Part Time, 32.5 hours Mon - Fri 9am -4pm Consett
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Lecturer in Foundation Learning -Maths, English and Digital

Durham County Council
Grade 9 £34,314 - £37,938 pro rata for part-time term time working PAY AWARD PENDING
The DurhamLearn Foundation Learning programme area delivers Digital Skills, English and Maths Functional Skills.   An opportunity has arisen for a Lec Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner