HEREFORDSHIRE Council has seen a significant rise in the number of complaints about adult social care. Figures released as part of the council’s local account for 2017 show that there were 97 formal complaints that year – an increase of 18 per cent from the previous year. Most of these complaints centred around delays in communication on individual social care cases, queries regarding invoicing for care, housing needs and delays for home improvements. There was also an increase in the number of bed-blocking delays at hospitals. The number of delays due to adult social care rose from 4.5 to 5.5 per 100,000 population and an overall increase (including both health and social care delays) from 7.7 to 14.8. The authority was praised for improving the quality of life for people with care and support needs. An annual survey of service users showed Herefordshire Council to be the 7th best in England for 2017. But carer satisfaction levels dipped in 2017 leaving the county behind the English average.
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