Social Care: Sustainable Funding

Baroness Gardner of Parkes Excerpts

Tuesday 17th July 2012 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Pitkeathley]

My Lords—

[Baroness Gardner of Parkes]

My Lords, in view of the answers to the previous supplementary question and to the first Question, which stated that decisions should never be made purely on grounds of cost, is the Minister aware of a case in one of the London boroughs where a woman who has had multiple sclerosis for years and has been cared for by a very loving husband has now been told that she may be obliged to go into a care home because providing her care package at home is costing £79,000, while a care home could be provided for £71,000? That would perhaps not destroy, but put a terribly unfair strain upon, her marriage after all these years. Can the Minister assure us that in the Government’s plans for health and social care, factors other than cost will be considered?

[Earl Howe]

My Lords, on behalf of noble Lords, I wish my noble friend a very happy birthday.