Social Care Budget Changes

Debate between Mary Glindon and Norman Lamb

Wednesday 4th December 2013 Ministerial Corrections

[Mrs Glindon]

In the first two years of this Government, there was a frightening 66% increase in the number of people aged 90 and over coming into accident and emergency in a blue-light ambulance. When will the Minister accept that cuts to elderly care have increased pressure on the NHS, and are a major cause of the A and E crisis?

[Norman Lamb]

First, it is worth us all recognising that there is an increase in the number of frail elderly people in our society living with chronic conditions and that that is putting additional pressure on accident and emergency departments. The numbers have increased by over a million a year since 2010. However, the fact that there has been a reduction of 50,000 in the number of delayed discharges demonstrates that the social care system is doing incredibly well, and we should pay tribute to social care workers across the system who are doing so well to ensure that that improvement is taking place.

[Official Report, 26 November 2013, Vol. 571, c. 148.]

Letter of correction from Norman Lamb:

An error has been identified in an oral answer given to the hon. Member for North Tyneside (Mrs Glindon) on 26 November 2013.

The correct answer should have been:

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Mary Glindon and Norman Lamb

Tuesday 26th November 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mrs Mary Glindon (North Tyneside) (Lab)]

8. What assessment he has made of the effects of social care budget changes on attendances at accident and emergency departments.

[The Minister of State, Department of Health (Norman Lamb)]

Joining up health and social care is an absolute priority for this Government. The NHS will provide £900 million this year and £1.1 billion next year to support social care services with a health benefit and to promote joint working. In 2015-16, we will introduce a £3.8 billion pooled budget for health and social care. The number of bed days lost because of delays attributable to social care was nearly 50,000 lower in 2012-13 than it was in 2011-12.

[Mrs Glindon]

In the first two years of this Government, there was a frightening 66% increase in the number of people aged 90 and over coming into accident and emergency in a blue-light ambulance. When will the Minister accept that cuts to elderly care have increased pressure on the NHS, and are a major cause of the A and E crisis?

[Norman Lamb]

First, it is worth us all recognising that there is an increase in the number of frail elderly people in our society living with chronic conditions and that that is putting additional pressure on accident and emergency departments. The numbers have increased by over a million a year since 2010. However, the fact that there has been a reduction of 50,000 in the number of delayed discharges demonstrates that the social care system is doing incredibly well, and we should pay tribute to social care workers across the system who are doing so well to ensure that that improvement is taking place.[Official Report, 4 December 2013, Vol. 571, c. 13MC.]

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Mary Glindon and Norman Lamb

Tuesday 16th April 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mrs Mary Glindon (North Tyneside) (Lab)]

T5. Evidence from the all-party muscular dystrophy group’s inquiry into access to high-cost drugs for rare diseases has highlighted the importance in clinical trials of centres of excellence, such as the International Centre for Life, which is based in Newcastle. Will the Minister, with NHS North of England, meet me to discuss changes to specialist neuromuscular care in my area as a result of the new NHS set-up?

[The Minister of State, Department of Health (Norman Lamb)]

I am tempted to say no, but I would not get away with it—so, yes, of course the hon. Lady can join all the rest and arrange to meet me. I would be very happy to discuss her concerns. While I am at the Dispatch Box, may I pay tribute to the International Centre for Life, which does really important work?