A Snapshot of Cuts Across the UK – West Sussex
The story is being repeated all across the UK, with cuts taking a terrible toll on people with disabilities. Here is the story in West Sussex:
http://www.wscountytimes.co.uk/news/health/dossier-of-shame-on-care-cuts-1-3733476
Campaign members have come up with shocking figures that show startling cuts in services and payments to people in need.
Campaign spokesperson Barry Pickthall said: “From the first 3,214 reassessments of elderly and disabled during 2011/12, 12 per cent of elderly people, and people with physical and sensory impairments, have been found ineligible for any services and have lost their entire care packages.
“Fifty three per cent had had their care package reduced in value, leaving them less able to cope with living independently.
“Twenty per cent of people with learning disabilities lost their entire care package.
“Fifty two per cent of people with learning disabilities have had their care package reduced.
“Eleven per cent of people with mental health disabilities have lost all their care support
“Fifty four per cent of people with mental health disabilities had their care and support reduced.”
The average cut in care support for the elderly and those with physical and sensory impairments was £31 per week.
For those with learning difficulties, the average cut is £47 per week.
The average cut for those with mental health disabilities is £37 per week.
However, some of the most serious cases in all categories have lost as much as £300 a week.
The average cut in weekly care support across all categories is £33 per week (£1,716 per year.)
Meanwhile, the council has ploughed £31 million into its reserves.
Said Barry: “While WSCC is cutting care to the vulnerable and closing day centres across the county, Tory Councillors have been quietly building reserves to record levels.