Helpline: 0808 800 0303

Free care for elderly may leave out key groups

2 October 2009

As part of his keynote speech at the Labour Party Conference this week, Gordon Brown announced that older people with the highest needs would be offered free personal care in their own homes.

While the Government's proposals are positive, we believe social care has to be inclusive of all those who need it.

Val Buxton, Director of Policy, Campaigns and Information, Parkinson's Disease Society

Val Buxton, Director of Policy, Campaigns and Information for the Parkinson's Disease Society, comments:
 
"The Parkinson's Disease Society is excited by the commitment from the Labour Government to erase the postcode lottery for social care in the UK.

"Unequal access to care is a serious issue for people with Parkinson's, and we are fighting to change it through our Fair Care for Parkinson's campaign.

"The announcement of free personal care for older people in their own homes is good news for people with Parkinson's.

"However we would like Gordon Brown to give a definition of 'highest needs' for this group, and would wish to see appropriate support for everyone with complex conditions such as Parkinson's, whatever their age."

"While the Government's proposals are positive, we believe social care has to be inclusive of all those who need it."