By Isle of Wight Observer
Joe Robertson has warned the Isle of Wight’s social care system is “reaching breaking point” after a £50 million cut in government funding to the council.
The IW East MP has written to the minister for care, saying the crisis is a national problem but is particularly acute on the Island, where an older population and limited capacity are putting intense pressure on services.
The IW Council already spends nearly two-thirds of its budget on social care, and is now seeking an emergency loan, with no clear way to repay it.
Mr Robertson said government decisions were having direct consequences for patients and families, with reports of frail and vulnerable patients being discharged from St Mary’s Hospital to the mainland, away from relatives. He cited the case of a dementia patient moved against his family’s wishes.
Three Island care homes are also closing.
Mr Robertson said he had seen patients being cared for in hospital corridors because of delayed discharges, caused in part by a lack of social care capacity.
He wrote: “The situation is inhumane and cannot be allowed to continue.”
He is calling on ministers to take immediate action, warning the Island cannot wait for wider reforms while services are already under severe pressure.
