As the Welsh Assembly Government decides how to allocate its budget following last week’s Comprehensive Spending Review, the WLGA warns that failure to maintain and make further investment in social services will put pressure on the NHS and other public services.
Cllr John Davies (Pembrokeshire), WLGA Leader said:
“The interdependence between all the different parts of the public sector should not be underestimated. No single part of the public sector can respond to these challenges in isolation and if not carefully managed, cuts in one service will unintentionally damage another, for example underfunding social services leads to increased pressure on NHS services.”
Welsh Ministers have already signalled their intention to protect health service budgets when WAG sets its draft Budget on 17 November, but no such assurance has been given to councils despite social service budgets already being under severe pressure. The WLGA warns that there is a real danger that cuts in council budgets will force them to reduce services for the elderly and the vulnerable, including children. A reduction in these services will quickly lead to additional demands on the NHS and other council services and other agencies such as the police.
As highlighted by the Association of Directors of Social Services (ADSS) in their press release (21 October) safeguarding vulnerable children is a key priority for councils and they have made significant progress in improving the outcomes for these children, but there is genuine concern that councils will not have the resources they need to provide services to the growing number of vulnerable children across Wales.
Cllr Meryl Gravell (Carmarthenshire), WLGA Spokesperson for Social Care said:
“Social services budgets are under intense pressure as a result of the growing number of elderly people as well as increased expectations from citizens and complex family structures. The NHS and social services are mutually dependent in meeting the health and well-being needs of our citizens and neither will manage in the next period if one fails.
I urge Welsh Ministers to recognise the equal value of social care and health services as they set their draft Budget next month and call on them to ensure councils can continue to build on the improvements that have already been made and to ensure that our elderly and our most vulnerable children can continue to be protected.”
