HEALTH leaders in Oxfordshire need to be congratulated for their endeavours to avoid the endless winter pressures and ‘bed-blocking’ by utilising care home beds (Health Leaders Draw up Plans to End County’s Bed-blocking Crisis, Oxford Mail, November 15).

Working in partnership with colleagues in the independent sector, however, should be normal practice throughout the year regardless of ‘bed-blocking’. The health and social care sectors are at least united in being on tenterhooks awaiting the outcome of the Chancellor’s comprehensive spending review tomorrow.

Our care services need continued investment, in particular to meet the requirement to pay the new living wage which is something we very much support.

ANN MACKAY MBE
Director of Policy Care England