A TSA press release today highlights that Health Minister for Care Services Paul Burstow made a strong public acknowledgement of the potential role for telecare at the recent Liberal Democrat conference. He is reported as saying that it will be tough for social care to deliver the spending cuts the government wants. These could entail a 25% reduction or more in council spending from 2011-15. However, “Reablement and telecare services are the sort of tools councils should use to ensure they make best use of their money”.
In opposition before the general election in May, Paul Burstow has a long record of interest in social care including adult protection, dementia and social care funding. He was previously a member of the all-party parliamentary group on dementia and of the health select committee. Press release. (PDF)