Swansea AMs Call for End to Homecare Postcard Lottery

Older people and vulnerable people who rely on homecare should be charged based on their circumstances and not where they live said local AMs Val Lloyd and Andrew Davies today.

The Swansea AMs have welcomed plans outlined by Deputy Minister for Social Services Gwenda Thomas that would see the power to set maximum charges for home care and to exempt groups from charges devolved to the Assembly Government.

Currently charging for homecare and other social services is decided by local authorities. This has resulted in wide variations across Wales. New powers over charging for these services would allow the Assembly Government to deliver a fairer and more consistent charging policy for all adult users of homecare services.

Val Lloyd AM and Andrew Davies AM said:

‘The Assembly is committed to helping the most vulnerable people in our community.

“The Assembly understands the need to end the postcode lottery over charging for homecare. The maximum weekly charge rate in Swansea is £165, the second highest rate in Wales, whereas people in Rhondda Cynon Taff will get charged a maximum rate of £16.20 for the same service. This simply cannot continue.”

“We are supporting the Assembly Government’s bid to get the power to deal with this issue so that people in Swansea who rely on homecare can get a fairer deal.”

‘’A fairer charging policy will help older people and the disabled to get the services they need to help them in their day to day lives.

‘’The Assembly Government wants to shift social care away from residential care so that more people can remain in their own home and still get the day-to-day support they need.

‘’Access to personalised care gives older people and the disabled who use these services more independence in their daily lives even when they have to rely on support from others.’’

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