City's adult social care services told to improve
PA MediaA city council's adult social care provision has been rated as requires improvement by a watchdog.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) said Newcastle was in the top 30% of deprived local authorities in England and people experienced a lower life expectancy than the national average.
An inspection of Newcastle City Council's provisions in autumn last year found people were less likely to seek help, but some of those who did "had to fight to have their views heard".
Newcastle City Council's director of adult social care and prevention Laura Choake said it had already improved aspects of the service since the inspection.
The CQC report found the council was working to improve support and understand the barriers people in Newcastle faced.
People were positive about partnership working when services were joined up, with one person describing support where housing, mental health and social care staff worked together as "life changing," the report said.
Increasing demand
Chief inspector of adult social care Chris Badger said: "People gave us mixed feedback about their assessments and care planning.
"Some told us they felt listened to and understood, and staff explained options clearly.
"Others felt they had to push to have their views heard, particularly when trying to avoid options they didn't feel were right for them, such as going into residential care."
Meanwhile, the CQC found the city had many unpaid carers who said their role was having a negative impact on their health.
Badger added about one in five carers said they were socially isolated, but leaders were taking steps to improve their experiences.
The local authority, which is now led by the Liberal Democrats as a minority administration, said an action plan had been put in place to address concerns.
Choake said: "Like many other councils, demands on our service are ever increasing, people are living longer in ill health and with complex conditions, while funding to deliver social care has not kept pace."
She said the council had "many areas of great practice" and staff were found to be approachable and supportive.
Since the inspection, the local authority had improved response times, made communication clearer so people knew what to expect and seen an increase in satisfaction measures in its latest care survey, Choake said.
"Together with the new political administration, we will focus on the areas for improvement, and work ever more closely with residents to make sure our services continue to provide the best support possible."
