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14 Feb 02Regional Conference Looks at Way Forward for Social Care Services
A major South West conference will take place on Friday 15 February to discuss the future of the region's 'under pressure' social care services.
The conference, hosted by Devon County Council, at County Hall, Exeter, will bring together all the main stakeholders and interest groups from across the South West to identify ways to reduce the impact of national underfunding, share best practice, and agree priorities for future action.
The conference aims to carry forward the debate on care services in the region following a warning by Social Services leaders in all 15 authorities in the South West that underfunding was stretching the social care safety net to 'breaking point' (see notes to Editor).
Participants will include South West MPs, local elected members, health and social services managers, independent care providers and representatives from the voluntary sector, client and carer groups from across the region.
Also taking part will be representatives from the Social Services Inspectorate, the South West NHS Regional Office, Government Office South West, and the Local Government Association.
The conference will be independently chaired by Professor Robert Leaper who is a user representative on the Regional NHS Task Force and also sits on the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital Working Party on the care of older people.
Delegates will be asked to look at the challenges and opportunities in each major service area - children, older people, learning disability, mental health, and physical and sensory disability. They will also look at the role of the voluntary sector and services for carers.
It is hoped the conference will produce a positive action plan for the future of social care services in the region based on an analysis of the most pressing challenges in each service area and examples of best practice and future opportunities for working in partnership.
Speaking before the conference, Chairman Professor Robert Leaper said: "The issue of the resources the Government gives local authorities for social care is crucial to the co-ordination of services between health and social services. The quality and availability of support in the community clearly has an impact on things like the length of stay in hospital of older people - whether premature discharge or 'bed blocking'. This conference offers a timely opportunity for key players throughout the South West to join together in looking forwards, to share best practice and formulate practical plans to manage the limited resources available."
David Johnstone, Director of Devon Social Services who are hosting the conference, added: "There is now a huge amount of evidence to demonstrate that severe underfunding and rising demand is stretching the social care safety net for the most vulnerable in our communities to breaking point. But as managers I know that my colleagues and I are deeply committed to doing everything possible to provide the best possible levels of service with the money available. This conference offers an opportunity for all key partners in the South West to identify and share the creative and positive work being done to manage demand and to discuss new ways of working that could ease the situation in the region."
Tony Parker, Devon County Council (01392) 382173
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