16.11.12
Economy needs care reform – Carers UK
Reform of the care system could boost the economy, as well as improving support for the 6.4 million carers in the UK, a new report suggests.
The Cass Business School report, commissioned and published by Carers UK, argued that care must be accessible to all, through improved integration of services.
It’s vital to help carers stay in employment whilst caring for someone else, the report says. Restructuring and reconfiguring services could deliver higher workplace productivity and staff retention.
This could create opportunities for growth in the care market, improving the efficiency of care provision. This is particularly important for the ‘pivot generation’ who are facing the challenges of caring for two different generations simultaneously.
Chief executive of Carers UK, Helena Herklots said: “Too often the debate around reform of care for older and disabled people is framed as a drain on public finances. It is time we recognised that helping families to juggle work and care and stimulating a new generation of care services can act as an engine for economic growth.”
Report author Professor Les Mayhew said: “We need to be much smarter about how care is organised and delivered – the system is fragmented and too complex. We need greater integration, better financial incentives, more flexibility, and a focus on prevention.”
The full report is available at www.carersuk.org/professionals/resources/research-library
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