16 November 2016 12:45pm–2:00pm
Room N, Portcullis House, Westminster, London SW1A 2LW
Please support UNISON’s SOS Day to raise awareness of cuts to older people’s social care services.
Parliamentary drop-in session on Wednesday 16 November to raise awareness of the devastating impact of cuts to older people’s social care services.
The session forms part of UNISON’s Save Our Local Services (SOS) campaign.
It will be a chance for you to find out more about the impact of the government’s unfair cuts to local government funding on the care of the elderly as well as care workers.
There will also be the opportunity to have your photo taken in support of the campaign day and sign a pledge board that will read:
“I call on the government to increase funding to older people’s social care services.”
As you will know, social care services that support older people (aged over 65) – mainly homecare, residential care and, day care services – are vital for them to live independent and happier lives at home and in their communities.
Age UK has estimated that £1.95bn has been lost from social care budgets over the past 10 years due to central government cuts.
It is clear that these cuts are having a detrimental impact on older people’s services.
As part of research UNISON is currently compiling, we carried out a survey of social care workers on their experience of the impact of budget cuts over the past six years. 64% of the 1,075 respondents said that they had found there was a higher number of patients with more intensive care needs.
At the same time, 65% of the responders said there fewer staff and 63% of the respondents said that they had less time to spend with patients.
So as demand for services has increased, there are fewer staff, spending less time with patients.
So please to take part in the day of action on 16 November and show your support for this vital campaign – for better care for older people and an end to the downward spiral in pay and terms and conditions for those working in this sector.
We would be delighted if you would be able to attend.
Please RSVP to Chris Russell at Connect Communications on c.russell@connectpa.co.uk or 020 592 9592.