08 October 2004
The lack of joined-up health and social care services is costing the country £7.83bn a year, according to a leading charity.
Turning Point said vulnerable people with a mixture of needs, such as mental illness, alcohol and drug dependency and learning disabilities, were falling through gaps in services.
It said a person with depression would probably find it relatively easy to see a GP. They might need other support, such as counselling because they had lost their job for example, but often services dealt only with specific issues and help with wider problems was not given until a crisis had developed.
'Too often for people with complex needs, we're providing services that are like an ambulance at the bottom of the cliff rather than trying to stop them from falling in the first place. This is incredibly costly,' said Lord Victor Adebowale, the charity's chief executive.
Homelessness, the criminal justice system and reoffending accounted for most of the £7.83bn annual costs, though long-term unemployment, incapacity and other benefits also contributed.
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