Julian Knight MP has welcomed the Government’s decision to release £240 million of additional funding for local authorities to spend on adult social care – which will include £870,356 earmarked for Solihull Council.
The money will pay for home care packages to help patients get out of hospital quicker, re-ablement packages to help patients carry out everyday tasks and regain mobility and confidence, and home adaptations.
This will give councils a significant boost in the run-up to Christmas and help to ease winter pressures on the NHS, freeing up hospital beds by ensuring that more patients can receive the care they need at home.
Solihull is particularly affected by social care due to its ageing population. According to projections from Solihull Council, by 2036 one in four of our population will be over 65 – and fully five per cent will be over 85.
In a recent parliamentary debate Matt Hancock, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, praised Julian’s work to boost social care funding and support Solihull’s NHS services.
Commenting on the news, Julian said:
“Our local NHS services always come under pressure during the winter. By helping patients get home and freeing up hospital beds, this extra funding will save lives.
“The Government is right to make social care a top priority. We need to put this system on a stable and sustainable financial footing, and I will continue to work with ministers to ensure that older local residents receive the level and quality of care that they deserve.”