Elderly to face 80pc fees hike (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Elderly to face 80pc fees hike

HOUSEBOUND elderly people are facing an 80 per cent hike in the fees they pay for help at home, following drastic cuts in the social care services.

County council chiefs are to force the change immediately for new patients, who as a consequence will see the hourly charge go from £8.25 to £15.20. Those already receiving care will pay from the date of their annual review.

The type of care involved is for elderly and frail people, who often need help with their bathing and feeding. Wiltshire county council says it must make the change because of a predicted "significant" budget overspend of at least £4m this year.

For full story, see this week's Journal.