Govt care plans 'will help multiple sclerosis patients'

The new government plans for social care funding will provide people living with multiple sclerosis with more control over their condition, according to one charity.

Earlier this week, the Department of Health announced that it would be rolling out personal care budgets by 2013, with individuals given funding and allowed to formulate their own care plans.

The Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society said that these budgets will provide people with the condition with more choice and the ability to tailor care to suit their needs, while an extra £400 million government investment will provide respite care breaks for many support workers.

However, the charity also suggests that the new plans could allow local authorities to set personal budgets too low in order to save money.

"This could be a false economy in the long run as people use more critical services, which cost more money," the MS Society states.

The Alzheimer's Society suggested earlier this week that people with dementia will need extra support to ensure they know how to use their budget effectively.

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