A new National Office for Care and Support has been launched in Wales, with this focusing on innovation, improvement, and transformation.
The primary focus of the National Office for Care and Support will be to support the Chief Social Care Officer for Wales, to deliver a National Care Service, and to implement the National Commissioner Framework for Care and Support in Wales.
Chief Social Care Officer for Wales, Albert Heaney, commented on the decision to launch the office, saying:
“It will help me, as the chief social care officer to direct resources where they are most in need and benefit the most vulnerable, driving improvement in the national delivery of social care in Wales to achieve better and more equitable outcomes, access, and service-user experience.”
This development comes as a key part of the Welsh Government’s long-term goal of strengthening social care arrangements around the country and is the first phase of the programme to implement the National Care Service – which is a shared priority of the Co-operation Agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru.
The delivery of these priorities will be achieved by bringing together local authorities, service users, carers, and members of the workforce in collaboration.
Dawn Bowden, Minister for Social Care, added:
“The number of people aged 85 and over in Wales is projected to increase by more than 65% over the next 20 years – it is to be celebrated that we are living longer but it also means we need to radically rethink how we care for our older population.
“The launch of the National Office for Care and Support is another important milestone in our ambitious journey to create a National Care and Support Service. It will be crucial to help guide the sector as it drives improvements in access to care and the experience of service users.
“It will also play an essential role in the integration of health and social care, working closely with the NHS Executive to ensure Wales’ health and social care system is fit for the future.”
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