Worcestershire Liberal Democrats put Care at the heart of the County election campaign
Liberal Democrats will put health and care at the heart of their local election plans for County Council elections to be held on Thursday May 1st.
Over 70% of the council tax Worcestershire County council raises from residents is spent on adult social care, making it the largest budgetary spend for the council after education (which is mainly funded from central government).
In the General Election last year, the Liberal Democrats became the first political party to have a dedicated chapter in their manifesto on care. With an ageing population and when over 12,000 hospital beds nationally are taken up by patients ready to be discharged, the Liberal Democrats plan to work with communities and care providers to ensure residents receive the right support at the right time, rather than waiting for crisis points to emerge.
Emma Trueman, who is standing for the Liberal Democrats in Malvern Chase, says: “Both of my parents sadly suffered with dementia and, having had to rely on state funded care, I am passionate about social care provision, not only for the elderly but also for anyone needing support.
“Helping people early gives people the opportunity to lead more independent lives for longer. Now too many residents are left without support, leading to isolation and fast deterioration of their mental and physical health. As Liberal Democrats we are determined to put care back in the community, giving everyone the opportunity to lead longer and fulfilling lives. When the time comes for more directed care, we will ensure the right support is in place from the start.”
The Liberal Democrats are pledging to change the approach to social care in Worcestershire, focusing on the individual needs of the person who needs support, working with homes and the NHS to reduce bed blocking in hospitals and focusing on early support for those who need help so they can stay in their homes for longer.
