ST HELENS is facing severe pressures in adult health and social care due to budget cuts, councillors heard at a meeting this week.

Director of adult social care and health for St Helens, Mike Wyatt, told the health and adult social care overview and scrutiny panel that the only option is going to be "a reduction in care".

He said the department had faced challenges since 2011 but had managed to preserve levels of care by implementing cost-cutting measures and efficiencies in working practices.

But, presenting an update on care across the borough, he said this will no longer be possible and the budget will begin to impact on service users. For example, he said, the budget "will reduce the number of calls we make to feed people".

According to figures in a report published on Friday (June 19), St Helens Council provides health and social care for around 6,700 adults whose needs range from dementia and mental health issues to physical, sensory or learning disabilities.

He said: "Some may merely need an electric care line fitted but others will be getting 24/7 support. Some need one-to-one or even two-to-one support."

Talking about key priorities and issues, he said: "The budget is a huge, huge one.

"Since 2011-12, the department's budget has been reduced by £16.4 million – which, in real terms, is about £22 million – almost a third of the budget.

"We have worked hard to keep delivering services but now I can't see how any further reductions won't have an impact on services – it's reaching the point where I can't say everything's going to be fine.

"The only thing I can think of is a reduction in care. It has be suggested other organisations – like the police and health – could support us, but they are facing efficiencies too."

He said the number of people requiring care is likely to increase: "In St Helens, people are living longer but with more complex conditions and young people are surviving complex conditions – they eventually transfer to adult services.

"Benefit reductions, which are coming, usually lead to an increased demand for social care and the government's proposed £72,000 'cap on care' will provide financial challenges.

"We have got a few very challenging years ahead. There will be some really difficult decisions for the council to make."

Mr Wyatt said he'd be keen to work with any party who could provide help on a voluntary basis, such as faith groups, but indicated this would be for lower end service users rather than those with more complex needs.