Some Island services may have to close if the Isle of Wight council does not receive promised government money for adult social care.
That was the dire warning from the authority as it was revealed the council is set to go over its adult social care budget by £2,647,000.
Factors affecting the crisis
Rising bills, the struggle to recruit care staff and pressures in providing care packages, are among the factors causing the crisis.
The authority is also having to resort to more expensive, agency staff to cover vacancies in the sector.
Speaking at the council’s corporate scrutiny committee yesterday (Tuesday), Cllr Karl Love, the council’s cabinet member for adult social care, also pointed out there were a number of clients who cost the council over £1 million a year, and that was something they were looking to address.
Love: Government promise missing
Cllr Love said the council was in a difficult position but they were working hard to bridge the gap. He said,
“Our officers have become experts in stretching boundaries but we have reached the point where we cannot stretch anymore.
“We need to be prepared for some very difficult decisions about funding adult social care unless the government steps in and give us the money it promised.
“We don’t have the ability to generate the money on the Island unless we significantly close things down,such as loss-making leisure centres as has happened in other areas.
“I am not saying we are doing it, but it is something we are having to think about because we still have a statutory responsibility to keep adult social care services going.”
More money leads to better pay
Government money, Cllr Love said, would help the council fund the service more and pay carers a better wage, enabling a better chance at recruitment.
The Island was not isolated with its adult social care issues as the same problems are being experienced across the UK.
He said there was a lot of competition in the sector and it was essential the Island worked as an integrated system, so bodies were not competing against each other.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
