The Minister for Social Care has welcomed the launch of the
new National Office for Care and Support, which marks another
important step towards a National Care Service in Wales.
With a focus on innovation, improvement and transformation of
adult and children's services, the National Office for Care and
Support forms a major part of the Welsh Government's longer term
goal to strengthen social care arrangements at a national level.
The launch of the national office is the first part of the phased
plan to implement the National Care Service, which is a shared
priority in the Co-operation Agreement between the Welsh
Government and Plaid Cymru.
The National Office for Care and Support will primarily focus on
supporting the Chief Social Care Officer for Wales in their role,
delivering a National Care Service for Wales, and implementing
the National Commissioning Framework for Care and Support in
Wales.
Newly-appointed Minister for Social Care said:
“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.”
Albert Heaney, Chief Social Care Officer for Wales, said:
“The national office will bring together the 22 local
authorities, involve people who use social care services, their
carers, the workforce, professional bodies, and key partners to
work together to delivery national priorities, quality standards,
particularly in relation to commissioning of care and support
services.
“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.”
Plaid Cymru Designated Member Cefin Campbell said:
“As our society gets older we need to look carefully at how we
care for our oldest citizens and provide a system that works for
everyone and is free at the point of need. The establishment of
the National Office for Care and Support is a small but important
step in delivering this vision.”
Notes to editors
https://www.gov.wales/national-office-care-and-support
Towards a National Care
and Support Service sets out Wales' phased approach to developing
a National Care Service: Towards a National Care and Support
Service: initial implementation plan | GOV.WALES
