A BODY which represents the district’s private care providers says the rates paid by Bradford Council fall below their break-even point.

And it claims the system is unfair on Bradford district’s older, frail and disabled people.

The Bradford Care Association (BCA) spoke out after it was revealed that almost two in five adults receiving council-funded social care in the district are forking out their own money to top up their support.

The UK Homecare Association said councils may be rationing the care they will fund in order to reduce costs.

BCA chairman Konrad Czajka – who is also managing director of the Czajka Care Group, which has homes including Currergate at Steeton and Beanlands, Cross Hills ­– said: “We’re currently involved in a cost of care exercise with both Bradford Council and the clinical commissioning groups because the reality is that the rates being paid fall well below the break-even point for care providers.

“As a result, private service users, who are means-tested and have savings of more than £23,500, must pay fees to cross subsidise both Bradford Council and continuing healthcare funding.

“This isn’t fair on older, frail and disabled people and it’s horrifying for them to see their savings swallowed up.”

The NHS Bradford district and Craven CCGs said they were working with Bradford Council on a cost of care exercise to look at how they could “best use collective resources to support the sector appropriately”.

The council said it had worked closely with the BCA and it “acknowledged the challenges around quality and sustainability of care in the district”.

A spokesman added:“We have made a financial commitment with the BCA this year to appoint a CEO and funded quality improvement work. Bradford is now seeing a significant improvement in CQC outcomes.

“We appreciate the work done by all teams which have contributed to these improvements and are committed to continue working together to support a quality and sustainable care market

“We are currently working with the providers to undertake a fair cost of care exercise and once the outcome of this is available we will be in a position to work on a longer-term plan.”