UK: System has let down elderly says Health Secretary

. YORKSHIRE, England / Yorkshire Post / Living / July 10, 2009 By Jonathan Reed, Political Editor ELDERLY people have been let down by a system forcing them to sell their homes to pay for old age care, new Health Secretary Andy Burnham has admitted. The Government is expected to publish options to reform the system next week amid concern that the social care system is creaking under the pressures of an ageing population. Ministers have been keen to find a way to prevent people having to sell their homes after accepting it is unfair amid growing pressure from charities representing the elderly. Mr Burnham said he wanted to take away the "unfairnesses" in the system but admitted it was a "complex" issue because "there isn't money growing on trees". He told the Yorkshire Post: "I don't think the status quo is satisfactory. It lets down lots of older people and their families in that if you are unfortunate enough to suffer severely and have high care needs, you can end up losing a lot of what you have worked all your life for." Campaigners have long called for reform to the current system, where anyone with assets of more than £22,250 has to pay for their care home place, leaving many with no option but to sell their home to pay the bill. With an ageing population and medical advances helping people to live longer, the Government fears the system is unsustainable and could face a £6bn funding gap within 20 years. Among ideas for reform which have been floated are a compulsory insurance scheme to which people contribute during their working life, or allowing people to make a one-off payment which would meet all their needs. Next week's document will contain options for change but as a Green Paper will not include firm proposals for legislation. "I think that we can do it better," said Mr Burnham. "I believe passionately that we can do better by older people." [rc] ©2009 Johnston Press Digital Publishing