Responding to the Government’s delay of the social care green
paper until the Autumn, Glen Garrod, President of the Association
of the Directors of Adult Social Services, said:
“It is right that the Government has chosen to mark the NHS’
seventieth birthday by investing in it. Such investment is
essential if we are to maintain our world-beating,
free-at-the-point-of-use health system. If this money is to make
a difference, it must be invested in primary and community health
services, which will help keep people well at home and prevent
them from needing to enter hospital in the first place. We will
work with the Government and the NHS to help develop the NHS Plan
and will place a strong emphasis on this community work.
“However, it is also the seventieth anniversary of the National
Assistance Act – which created social care – this year too. The
decision to delay the social care green paper caps off a
disappointing few days for everyone involved in social care,
including our dedicated workforce but more importantly the people
we serve – adults with disabilities and our grandparents and
parents who need support. It’s also a false economy - if we
adequately fund social care we can prevent and reduce the
pressures on the NHS. This new settlement fails to address the
underlying issues in our health and care system which makes it a
stepping stone to nowhere.
“Just last week we warned of the consequences that a lack of care
is having on care markets. A third of councils have seen
providers close or cease to trade in the last six months and
social care now consumes eight per cent more of councils’ overall
budgets than it did eight years ago. We are in the midst of a
real funding crisis and we need the Government to ensure they
continue to provide short-term, emergency funding if we are to
ensure the choice and control over their care that they
rightfully expect.
“It’s a real shame that the Government has decided to delay the
green paper as the questions raised in it do need urgent answers.
With a delayed green paper and no additional funding, the brutal
reality is that older and disabled people, and their families,
are struggling now. With fewer of them getting support until they
get into crisis and need support in hospital, this is a very
challenging situation for them, and their families and loved
ones.
“For social care to make a real difference, it’s essential that
it is person-centred and tailored to the individual. Such care
can reduce pressure on hospitals, but much more importantly, it
enables people to live independently as long as possible. We need
this green paper to be delivered as soon as possible. The NHS is
now in a position to make long-term plans based on a long-term
funding solution. Social care can do neither.”
