Health and social care budgets must be brought together - Gidley

Commenting on the Government announcement that GPs are to prescribe social care, Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson, Sandra Gidley MP said:

"What planet is Patricia Hewitt living on?

"The health service is saddled with debt. Where are trusts going to find the money to pay for social services if they are cutting vital operations and extending waiting lists?

"The Government is asking more and more of the NHS without giving it any of the resources it needs.

"There is much evidence that local authorities are already bearing the brunt of cost-shunting from PCTs who cannot afford to provide for the elderly and disabled.

"It is essential that health and social care budgets are brought together so that decisions on care look at the full picture of what is in the patient's best interests.

"Otherwise decisions on the care provided to patients will depend on who is less cash-strapped that month."