A LEADING Government minister has condemned Bradford Council's "outdated" care system.

Norman Lamb MP, the Minister of Care and Support, claims Bradford Council's use of 15-minute home care appointments needs to be reformed.

Claims home carers are being given just 15 minutes to wash, cook and care for elderly residents and needy patients in the Bradford district have proved controversial over the past two years.

Earlier this month, councillors questioned the real value of what can be achieved from a 15-minute visit and whether that included travel time.

But Cllr Amir Hussain (Lab), Bradford Council's executive member for health and social care, rebuffed Mr Lamb's claims saying care services are under "massive pressure" after Government budget cuts.

Mr Lamb (Lib Dem) was given an up close view of how home care is provided during his visit to Shipley yesterday.

He spoke to members of the Bradford Care Association at Czyka Care Group, Bingley Road, Saltaire to find out how the system was working in Bradford.

Bradford Care Association is a group of independent care providers in West Yorkshire which aims to enhance the standard of care that people receive throughout the region, while offering support to care providers and giving the industry a voice.

Konrad Czajka, chairman of the Bradford Care Association, claimed earlier this month that payments by the Council are £12.50 this year, which has only risen by 50p since 2001 and they are struggling to retain care staff to do the services.

He was joined by Bradford East MP David Ward (Lib Dem) and Councillor Jeanette Sunderland (Lib Dem, Idle and Thackley) during his visit.

Mr Lamb appeared in the district to promote Mr Ward's Bradford Cares Campaign, which has lobbied against social care cuts in Bradford.

Cllr Sunderland has been outspoken about the concept too, as the Council drives to cut down costs.

Mr Lamb said: "The 15-minute visits are not good, only in very limited circumstances are they appropriate.

"Just planning visits for 15 minutes is not the right way to do it. It is out of date.

"The care providers in Bradford want to meet with Bradford Council to see how they can work the system better and more effectively.

"It is just false economy how it's run at the moment.

"I'm extremely concerned after visiting Bradford. Telecare can help and make people more independent and cut down on costs.

"The care providers I have met are very committed to try to do the right thing.

"I want to call for a fundamental review of health and care budgets in Bradford. The system is under enormous pressure. People are living longer.

"The council needs to engage with the care providers and the voluntary sector."

Cllr Hussain said: "It is pathetic and hypocritical to try and shift the blame when the solutions are in his own hands.

"This is a crisis of national proportions and if Mr Lamb thinks otherwise he is living in cloud cuckoo land and not fit for the job.

"Bradford invests significant sums in keeping people independent and the Labour Council has put in an extra £20 million to meet rising demand.

"But care services are under massive pressure as the population ages while Government cuts shrink Council budgets beyond all recognition.

"The door is always open to care providers if they want to raise issues and we work closely with them.”

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