30 September 2009

The English Community Care Association (ECCA), the leading representative body for independent care providers, has responded to the suggestion that the Prime Minister’s announcement of a policy of free personal community care for older people might be funded by local authorities saving money on residential care.

Martin Green, Chief Executive of ECCA, says:

"At a time when residential provision is under severe financial constraint and the Government is spending enormous amounts of money on the consultation process for the Green Paper on social care, it is unfortunate that the Prime Minister has made what appears to be an ill-thought through and uncoordinated announcement on the funding of personal care".

Martin Green continues:

"ECCA believes that leaving local authorities to take responsibility for deciding who gets this funding is contradictory to the idea of a National Care Service. The Prime Minister should be leading a strategic approach to developing care services and not just making headline grabbing, unclear and contradictory statements".

Ends

Notes to Editors:

• ECCA works to ensure that care services are commissioned fairly, efficiently and on a properly funded basis, to meet the true costs of providing appropriate care
• Contact ECCA press on 020 7492 4844 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it