Responding to today’s Queen’s Speech, Margaret Willcox, President
of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS),
said:
“We welcome bringing forward proposals for consultation on how
best to improve social care because Government needs to keep this
crucial issue at the top of its to-do list.
“We are also encouraged by reforms to mental health legislation
and the pledge to prioritise mental health in the NHS.
“ADASS wants to work with Government to establish a strong and
sustainable health and care system, which has never been more
urgent or vital.
“A long-term funding solution that will work for everyone,
regardless of their means, or nature of their disability, has to
be a national priority to ensure certainty and continuity of
personal, dignified care to the growing number of people living
longer and with increasingly complex and costly needs.
“A wide ranging public debate is needed to future-proof the
provision of care in the most fair and affordable way. Crucial to
this is the promised Green Paper, which must be realised, unlike
numerous previous pledges of reform by successive governments
which have fallen by the wayside.
“A rise in the National Living Wage is welcome, but the funding
solution needs to address the recruitment, training and retention
of dedicated staff operating under significant pressures on the
system, and a fragile and unsustainable provider market.
“With a significant funding gap for social care forecast by the
end of the decade, there is a need for the new Government to act
urgently to give confidence to the million people who get social
care support and their families so they can continue to be
supported to lead independent and fulfilling lives.”
