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Award-winning current affairs documentary series

Award-winning current affairs documentary series investigating major issues at home and abroad

File on 4: Elderly Care

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Elderly Care

28/06/2011

BBC Radio 4 - File on 4, Elderly Care

Why the UK's elderly care sector is facing a financial crisis.

With Britain's biggest private care home provider in financial turmoil, and councils forced to make huge cuts, Fran Abrams asks if the way elderly care is paid for is sustainable.

Over the last month Britain's biggest provider of care homes for the elderly, Southern Cross, has been beset by financial woes. But across the country an even deeper crisis is unfolding as local authorities implement massive budget cuts.

This week File on 4 investigates how cutbacks are leaving elderly people with insufficient care, and councils with a major financial headache.

The programme also hears from small care home providers who say they are being forced out of business because the fees local authorities now pay them are too low.

And with the report from a Government commission due in a few days, the programme asks whether the gap in funding for the care of elderly people can be closed.. 

Reporter: Fran Abrams
Producer: Gail Champion.

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

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