Mar 312020
DPAC emailed all MPs the weekend before the Corona Virus Bill was rushed through parliament expressing our concerns about the suspension of the Care Bill and provision of social care to disabled and older people,
We’ve had a number of quite lengthy and detailed responses from MPs for which we would like to thank them. This response to Disability action In Kensington and Chelsea which was also copied to us is particularly helpful however.
For more information about how the changes affect anyone who needs care and support please also see the webinar Accessing care during the Corona Virus Crisis by Steve Broach, Barrister, at be-human.org.uk/coronaheroes
From my MP
Dear Dennis,
Thank you for contacting me about the Coronavirus Bill 2019-21 (now Coronavirus Act 2020) and its impact on disabled people’s rights.
This fast-tracked legislation is intended to give public bodies across the UK the tools and powers they need to implement an effective response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) emergency. Its aim is to protect life, and the public health of the nation, by limiting the spread of the infection while also reducing pressures on key services.
While I recognise the need for emergency legislation, I appreciate your concerns about the relaxation of local authorities’ duties to provide care and support. Many older and disabled people, and their families, will understandably be concerned that this may lead to new or existing care packages being withheld or reduced. I also understand your concerns that temporary changes to mental health legislation could lead to a rise in the number of inappropriate detentions in hospitals.
The UK Government has confirmed that new powers under the Coronavirus Act 2020 would only be used if demand pressures and workforce illness during the pandemic meant that local authorities were at imminent risk of failing to fulfil their duties. The powers will also only be in force for the duration of the emergency. I am pleased that the UK Government accepted an amendment to the legislation to guarantee parliamentary votes on the renewal or revocation of these emergency powers at six-monthly intervals.
Providing care to older and vulnerable people must continue to be a priority. While I recognise that there will be difficulties delivering social care over the coming weeks and months, removing any elements of a person’s social care should only happen as a last resort when all other alternatives have been exhausted.
More widely, it is important the UK Government ensures there is a system in place to make sure that anyone detained under mental health legislation can appeal their detention and receive timely reviews so that people do not stay in hospital unnecessarily.
Labour will continue to hold the UK Government to account and ensure that this emergency legislation is kept under review.
Thank you once again for contacting me about this important issue.
Yours sincerely,
Jeff Smith MP
Manchester Withington
0161 445 0678 (Manchester Withington Office)
Unit 1, Withington Fire Station, 505-507 Wilmslow Road, Withington, M20 4AW
Implementation would seem to be very poor however.
All 3 of us in this household in Fulham, meet the extremely vulnerable criteria. But no actual support yet despite repeated contacts by me with all manner of official authorities. Feel free to copy me in with your experiences to me if you want at adriandeanwhyatt@gmail.com or on Twitter:@adrianwhyatt or on Facebook (AdrianWhyatt). Time for comprehensive action, not just hot air. I voted for the Animal Welfare Party.
What about additional financial support for people on PIPs and ESA. These are some of the most vulnerable and some are having to self isolate due to their health conditions. They seem to have forgotton this group of people and how they will cope financially.
Well, the help/support they claim they’re offering is either not happening or is very, very slow. Though I received a phone call from my GP, a letter from my hospital last week, confirming I am in the high risk group & to self isolate for 12 weeks, no further help is forthcoming. The only thing I have got yesterday is an e-mail from local Green Party Councillor, giving me some phone numbers etc., to contact & asked if I personally needed help.
The Government & the supermarkets are either lying or being disingenuous about “priority online deliveries” available. I had a delivery 17 Th March (quite a few items missing) & one yesterday (again, many items missing) so I’m pretty ok for a while. I’ve also found some local small bakers who will deliver some basic items. But someone has brought up another issue, where I & others have registered on the gov.uk/coronavirus as a “vulnerable person” needing help. This is supposed to have been passed on to the supermarkets, to free up the priority slots (hasn’t worked) but who else has access to this information?
All I can say I’m disabled in support group high mobility standard care and havent had phone call or anything help yet a friend is in addict place they get food and tobacco took daily and others in hotel food etc , understand hard times but I know alot people drugs etc drink they wont stop or bother if give world to them just sad as many old or good working people young who done right last que as usual many will starve should had tents at camp sites homeless and hotels for folk who are bothered