Vulnerable people risk losing social care, say Sheffield campaigners

Martha Foulds, who is blind and a disability campaigner, and Chris Sterry, an activist for the care community, both have serious concerns about the Coronavirus 2020 Act.

The emergency Bill suspends the Care Act and means councils can withdraw social care.

Ms Foulds said there are a number of issues which worry her.

She said: “Social services have a responsibility to provide support for disabled people and their carers, but the Bill allows local authorities to suspend their duties.

“They only have to provide them if there's a human rights breach, but there’s no human right to social care. Education and health care plans can also be eased.

“Sheffield has not suspended its duties yet and I really hope they don't but other authorities have.

“Another issue is that people can be detained under the Mental Health Act and normally it requires two doctors' opinions, but now it only needs one opinion and that's concerning as people may be detained for too long or discharged too early.

“We all recognise that coronavirus is really having an impact on the NHS but we need to balance that with people's lives.”

Mr Sterry said that by suspending the Care Act, local authorities can cut care packages without any recourse.

He said: “We can readily see how Covid-19 is affecting care homes, the staff and residents, but it’s also affecting home care and supported living.

“Personal protective equipment is hard to come by and many people, especially those on direct payments and self funders, are left to fend for themselves.

“It was extremely wrong for the Government to use the situation to suspend the Care Act, when Covid-19 is making care even more important than it was already.”

Sheffield Council was unavailable for comment.

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