Funding has raised a question for the government to act. The Bupa medical groups are falling short of funding, they term it as a ‘worryingly inadequate’ situation.

The group, which provides the elderly with care homes as a part of the residential care, accounts for approximately 302 care homes across UK. According to the statistics, it takes care of about 70% of 18,000 residents from NHS and even the local authorities. However, the authorities of the group have stated that this time the holding capacity has decreased from 88% to 87.3% this year. And in the coming time it is expected to decrease more.

The Chief Executive of the group, Ray King has affirmed that decrease in the funding amount has drastically affected the care homes. And the authorities of the group has left with only two options in this case, either to decrease the number of elderly people or to compensate by abating the quality of the care provided. This crisis is expected to lead to bed blocking.

They have stated that it is not possible to increase the occupancy rate and simultaneously increase the staff costs and training with the available funds. The group is mutual association that provides sickness benefits, life insurance and pensions to the elderly. However, it has no share holders, so has to rely on local authorities for funds. However, reports show a 20% increase in its overall underlying surplus to £559 million for 2011, boosted by a strong performance in its Australian and international divisions.

But at present Mr. King has asserted that the home care funders are in way to decrease the number of beds. He said, “The time is difficult but we can't put a massive squeeze on care home providers and push hard to get quality standards raised”. If we demand for good care, we can’t get it cheap.

Moreover, he alleged that for the conditions to be improved, government needs to come into action and increase funds.