More care home beds needed as Shropshire and Telford population rise

Charity Age UK has warned of emerging "care deserts" in parts of the country, leaving older people without access to proper care.

The number of people aged 75 and older in Telford and Wrekin has grown by 20 per cent over the last five years, rising from 11,200 in 2014 to an estimated 13,400 today.

But analysis of Care Quality Commission data shows that the number of beds in care homes increased by just three per cent over the same period.

The figures show that Shropshire has lost 74 care home beds since 2014, and there are now 3,261 in the area – a fall of two per cent .

During that time period, the number of people aged 75 and older in Shropshire has increased by 16 per cent, from 31,700 in 2014, to an estimated 36,800 this year.

Today, there are 1,096 care home beds in Telford and Wrekin.

Reversed

Across England, the number of beds has increased by 1.4 per cent, rising to 407,058.

But 75 local authority areas have lost almost 10,000 beds between them, prompting concerns about regional inequalities across the adult social care sector.

Retirement mortgage company Responsible Life, which produced the research, said the results reveal "a postcode lottery unfolding".

Managing director Steve Wilkie said: "If this trend isn't reversed, it is going to get even tougher to access care in certain areas in the coming years.

"For some, it will mean a lack of availability, and subsequently higher costs, and will force them to delay accessing the right care at the right time. Others may feel they are better off financially paying for assistance at home.

"The danger is that some retirees will inevitably choose to remain in homes that do not meet their requirements."

Varies

The availability of beds in care homes varies considerably in different parts of England, according to Responsible Life's analysis.

Middlesbrough, in the North East, has the best, with 15.6 care home beds for every 100 residents aged 75 and older, while Westminster has the worst at just 2.5.

In Telford and Wrekin, there are 8.2 care home beds for every 100 older residents. The national average is 8.5.

Shropshire has 8.9 care home beds for every 100 older residents.

Chaotic

Age UK has criticised Government handling of adult social care, and said the system is "chaotic and broken" after years of underfunding.

Charity director Caroline Abrahams said: "If the awful situation set out in this report doesn't persuade our Government to finally get a grip and take action, I don't know what will."

The Department of Health and Social Care said it would set out plans to reform the social care system "at the earliest opportunity".

A spokesman said: "People must have access to high quality care that meets their needs. Local authorities have a duty to ensure people receive appropriate care and support.

"We have given them access to up to £3.9 billion more dedicated funding for adult social care this year, and a further £410 million is available for adults and children's services."