Care England, the leading voice for adult social care in England,
has responded to the Government's announcement of an independent
commission into adult social care, chaired by The DBE CB.
Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England,
said:
“This announcement acknowledges the decade-long crisis in
social care, but it risks becoming yet another report that
gathers dust while the sector crumbles. Care providers are doing
their utmost to deliver essential care to society's most
vulnerable, yet the challenges they face only keep increasing.
While the sector has demonstrated resilience, its repeated calls
for help have been ignored, as the Government continues to
prioritise reforming the NHS to achieve goals only a fully
functioning adult social care system could deliver.
This commission will simply confirm what we already know -
how many more reports must we endure before action is taken? The
harm caused by the Government's inaction is already deep, and the
consequences for those who currently draw on care will be
irreparable if immediate intervention is not forthcoming. Waiting
until 2028 is not an option. The people in care today cannot
afford to wait any longer – their lives depend on action now. By
the time this commission will conclude, any recommendations will
likely be delayed until a new Parliament is in place, risking not
just a missed opportunity to support individuals now, but
potential for a shift in priorities that could leave the
sector without the action it so desperately needs.
We are ready to work alongside Baroness Casey and the
Government to turn this commission into a catalyst for genuine
change. But let's be clear: the status quo is no
longer an option. Every day without action means more vulnerable
people are left without the care they urgently need now, while
the already overwhelming pressures on the NHS continue to
intensify.
This isn't about politics; it's about people, and we need the
Government to act now. Together, we can fix social care, but we
must start today, not tomorrow.”
Care England urges the Government to match the commission with
immediate action, including funding support and workforce
initiatives, to stabilise the sector while long-term reforms are
developed. Without this, the future of social care, and the
millions who depend on it, remains at stake.
