public health and social care

19.10.18

Council cash squeeze means country faces ‘no realistic prospect of progress’ for integrated care

The government is still “a long way” from achieving an effective strategy for integrated health and social care and progress has been blocked by a “council squeeze,” MPs say.

In a report by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), they warned that despite “a lot of talk within government” over how to accelerate the process, there is “no realistic prospect of progress” in integrating the health and social care sectors.

The MPs say the financial squeeze on councils has blocked progress, with financial pressures and an ageing population increasing the need for joined-up care.

Real-term local authority spending on adult social care has decreased by 5.3% between 2010-11 and 2016-17, whilst the number of people in England aged 85 and over has increased by 28% from 2006 to 2016.

The PAC has also urged the government to set out a costed 10-year plan for social care alongside the 10-year plan for the NHS.

Meg Hillier, chair of PAC, said: “The time for warm words and wishful thinking is over. If government is serious about delivering the benefits of integrated health and social care, it must act to make it happen.

“Social care has suffered long-term underfunding and it is unacceptable that councils, under considerable financial pressure and facing growing demand for care services, must wait until 2020 for clarity.”

The report acknowledged that lots of government discussions have taken place, with 12 white papers, green papers and consultations, as well as five independent reviews, in the last 20 years.

Renaming the government department was a positive sign of intent, yet the report found no strategy to achieve the long-term aim to integrate the two sectors.

Hillier continued: “Government must also step up efforts to break down barriers to integration across the country.

“There remains a wide gap in pay and career structure between people who work in the NHS and those in social care, whose workforce suffers from low pay and low esteem.

“As I have said previously, social care is skilled work that transforms people’s lives. It could and should be a source of national pride.”

Chair of the LGA’s Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, Ian Hudspeth, said: “Councils are determined to do all they can to ensure that exceptional, joined up, person-centred care and support is delivered in their communities.

“But with adult social care now consuming almost 40% of council budgets and facing a shortfall in funding of £3.5bn by 2025, the need for a long-term funding plan for adult social care has never been so urgent – the government must either outline this in the upcoming budget, or the green paper on social care.”

Enjoying PSE? Subscribe here to receive our weekly news updates or click here to receive a copy of the magazine!

Image credit - vm

Comments

There are no comments. Why not be the first?

Add your comment

public sector executive tv

more videos >

latest public sector news

Leeds’ Clean Air Zone Plans Suspended for the foreseeable future

19/08/2020Leeds’ Clean Air Zone Plans Suspended for the foreseeable future

Leeds City Council have today (August 19) announced that their plans for a Clean Air Zone within the city may not have to go ahead due to lower e... more >
Apprenticeships on the rise across London boroughs

19/08/2020Apprenticeships on the rise across London boroughs

According to recent statistics by London Councils, apprenticeships directly created by London boroughs are up 14% on the previous  year. ... more >
Dorset LEP allocates £2.28m to improve local NHS services

19/08/2020Dorset LEP allocates £2.28m to improve local NHS services

Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is investing £2.28m of the Government’s Local Growth Deal funding into the creation of a ne... more >

editor's comment

25/10/2017Take a moment to celebrate

Devolution, restructuring and widespread service reform: from a journalist’s perspective, it’s never been a more exciting time to report on the public sector. That’s why I could not be more thrilled to be taking over the reins at PSE at this key juncture. There could not ... read more >

last word

Prevention: Investing for the future

Prevention: Investing for the future

Rob Whiteman, CEO at the Chartered Institute of Public Finance (CIPFA), discusses the benefits of long-term preventative investment. Rising demand, reducing resource... more > more last word articles >
Leeds’ Clean Air Zone Plans Suspended for the foreseeable future

19/08/2020Leeds’ Clean Air Zone Plans Suspended for the foreseeable future

Leeds City Council have today (August 19) announced that their plans for a Clean Air Zone within the city may not have to go ahead due to lower emissions during the lockdown period. The coun... more >
Apprenticeships on the rise across London boroughs

19/08/2020Apprenticeships on the rise across London boroughs

According to recent statistics by London Councils, apprenticeships directly created by London boroughs are up 14% on the previous  year. Between April 2019 and March 2020, London boroug... more >

the raven's daily blog

Cleaner, greener, safer media: Increased ROI, decreased carbon

23/06/2020Cleaner, greener, safer media: Increased ROI, decreased carbon

Evolution is crucial in any business and Public Sector Executive is no different. Long before Covid-19 even became a thought in the back of our minds, the team at PSE were looking at innovative ways to deliver its content to our audien... more >
read more blog posts from 'the raven' >

comment

Peter Kyle MP: It’s time to say thank you this Public Service Day

21/06/2019Peter Kyle MP: It’s time to say thank you this Public Service Day

Taking time to say thank you is one of the hidden pillars of a society. Being on the receiving end of some “thanks” can make communit... more >
How community-led initiatives can help save the housing shortage

19/06/2019How community-led initiatives can help save the housing shortage

Tom Chance, director at the National Community Land Trust Network, argues that community-led initiatives are a productive way of helping to solve... more >
Aberdeen's green transport fleet attracting international attention

19/06/2019Aberdeen's green transport fleet attracting international attention

Aberdeen City Council’s hydrogen spokesperson, councillor Philip Bell, highlights the Granite City’s determination to play a leading ... more >
A fifth of public sector workers have never received a thank you from the people they serve

13/06/2019A fifth of public sector workers have never received a thank you from the people they serve

A fifth of the country’s public sector workers say they have NEVER received a ‘thank you’ for doing their job as Public Service... more >

Interviews

Artificial intelligence: the devil is in the data

17/12/2018Artificial intelligence: the devil is in the data

It’s no secret that the public sector and its service providers need to invest in technology to help make better use of their resources. Bu... more >
Digital innovation in the public sector: The future is now

17/12/2018Digital innovation in the public sector: The future is now

One of the public sector’s key technology partners has recently welcomed a new member to its team. Matt Spencer, O2’s head of public ... more >
New Dorset Councils CEO on the creation of a new unitary: ‘This is going to be the right decision for Dorset’

05/11/2018New Dorset Councils CEO on the creation of a new unitary: ‘This is going to be the right decision for Dorset’

The new chief executive of one of the new unitary authorities in Dorset has outlined his approach to culture and work with employees, arguing tha... more >
Keeping the momentum of the Northern Powerhouse

15/10/2018Keeping the momentum of the Northern Powerhouse

On 6 September, the biggest decision-makers of the north joined forces to celebrate and debate how to drive innovation and improvement through th... more >

Public Sector Focus

View all News