Government must clarify its position in relation to sleep in payments

The sleep in issue is a topic VODG has been campaigning on since 2014. We have been in dialogue with the government for many years to find a solution. Following the Royal Mencap Society v Tomlinson-Blake Court of Appeal judgement the focus of the long-running solve sleep ins campaign has shifted. We are calling on government to now make a decision and to be clear about what changes it is proposing ahead of wider consultation. Without this clarity then government needs to be aware that the local commissioners and the provider ‘market’ will react in an ad hoc and un-coordinated ways and this situation could lead to irretrievable developments.

The Department of Health and Social Care needs also to urgently signal to commissioners that ‘knee jerk’ reactions to pricing the provision of overnight support risk destabilising the market.

We are committed to ensuring that:

• the future of essential overnight services for people who rely on them are secured – with a sustainable market and the right workforce to support people at night
• the ongoing disruption and distraction on this issue ceases – through clear government action
• commissioners and providers are very clear on the future provision, and costs, for sleep in support.