The government has initiated an independent commission aimed at "transforming social care," though significant reforms may take several years to materialize. This two-part commission, led by Baroness Louise Casey, is expected to present its final recommendations for social care in England by the end of 2028.
Announced as part of a broader support package for the sector, the review will commence in April. The package includes increased funding to help elderly and disabled individuals make home improvements, as well as training for care workers to conduct health checks for patients at home.
In response to the announcement from the Department of Health and Social Care , Sarah Woolnough, Chief Executive at The King’s Fund said:
‘We welcome the announcement of a commission on adult social care and the appointment of Baroness Louise Casey of Blackstock to lead it. This could offer a real opportunity to break the cycle of failure to reform social care.
‘We believe the first phase of the commission should focus on funding and on measures the government could quickly get on with implementing, such as work to improve the use of data and technology in the social care sector, better integration with the NHS and making adult social care a more attractive career. Work on many of these issues is already underway but should be sped up.
‘But we urge the government to accelerate the timing of the second phase of the commission which focuses on creating a fair and affordable social care system. The current timetable to report by 2028 is far too long to wait for people who need social care, and their families.
‘The most fundamental issue to reforming social care is addressing the very tight means test which effectively limits state support to those with the lowest assets and highest needs. The issues[1] and the potential solutions[2] to this are clear and do not require years to consider.’
Meanwhile, Director of Communications at NHS Providers, Adam Brimelow, said:
“For far too long, successive governments have dodged difficult decisions on social care reform. The knock-on effects of this inaction are plain to see.
“NHS trust leaders will hope that today’s announcement finally kickstarts the long overdue process of reform and sets out real action to address the many deep-rooted challenges this vital sector faces, including chronic under-funding and major staffing shortages.
“A strong and sustainable social care sector is vital for the NHS so that both services can deliver high-quality care for all those who need it."
“It is welcome then, that in addition to proposals for long-term reform, today’s announcement also sets out a series of measures which seek to ease immediate pressures on vital health and social care services while also supporting patients, disabled people and elderly people to stay well and independent.”
Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said:
“This announcement sets out a range of welcome commitments – not just the commission but also short-term support for the sector as well. Social care provides vital support to people up and down the country every day, but we know it has been trying to manage very difficult financial and staffing problems in the face of rising demand.
“The NHS is also under immense pressure due to the combination of winter viruses, staff sickness and high demand. One of the key reasons for patients being stuck in hospitals when they are well enough to be discharged is a lack of social care.
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