MPs Support Fair Deal for Adult Social Care with Online Petition (Julia Goldsworthy)

Julia Goldsworthy <info@juliagoldsworthy.org>

MPs Support Fair Deal for Adult Social Care with Online Petition

October 8, 2007 12:00 AM

Julia Goldsworthy and the Lib Dem Team Fighting for a Fair Deal

Cornwall's Liberal Democrats have stepped up their campaign for a fair deal for Adult Social Care, by launching an online petition. This follows the successful conference at Truro Cathedral which was attended by over 900 people and highlighted exactly this issue.

The petition can be found at campaigns.libdems.org.uk/fairdealcare and calls on the Government to conduct an urgent review of the funding available for adult social care in Cornwall.

The MPs have long argued that Cornwall's older people, adults with disabilities and their carers have every right to lead fulfilling, independent lives. The rising levels of need faced in Cornwall are not matched by increased resources and as a result the quality of people's lives, their independence and wellbeing is threatened. Cornwall's MPs are therefore arguing that there must be a new national financial settlement for adult social care.

Commenting Ms Goldsworthy, who took part in a Question and Answer session at the Conference in Truro, said,

"Cornwall's ageing population combined with a funding formula which leaves us one of the worst funded regions in the country is putting ever increasing pressure on the levels of care that are provided to older people. It is time that something was done to tackle this problem. The conference at Truro Cathedral explored what we could do as individuals and communities to help care for the elderly and has worked wonders in raising the profile of this issue. Now the government needs to understand the problem better and start taking action to address this issue.

"I urge everyone to sign up to the petition so that Cornwall's older people get the support and care they deserve."

North Cornwall's MP, Dan Rogerson, added:

"As a country, we should be able to pride ourselves on looking after people from cradle to grave. The funding shortfall we face in Cornwall places that vital principle at risk. Meeting people all over Cornwall during the summer confirms the strength of feeling there is on this issue. This online petition is designed to complement our campaign for a fairer deal."