Baroness Louise Casey has been appointed to lead an independent commission, which will provide recommendations for rebuilding the adult social care system.
The government has announced immediate investment and reforms aimed at improving adult social care, supporting the care workforce, and alleviating pressure on the NHS.
As part of immediate action, health secretary Wes Streeting on Friday (3 January) confirmed an additional £86 million for the Disabled Facilities Grant for the current financial year – on top of the £86 million announced at the Budget.
This brings the total annual funding to £711 million, which will help 7,800 more disabled and elderly people make vital improvements to their home, allowing them to live more independent lives and reducing hospitalisations.
Alongside the funding boost, the government is taking steps to mordernise social care, including:
- Leveraging care technology to support older people in living at home for longer
- Cutting red tape to ensure NHS and social care funding is spent effectively
- Improving career pathways for care workers
- Creating new national standards to encourage the use of the best care technology by providers and families.
To further strengthen the sector, care workers will be supported to take on additional responsibilities, such as conducting routine health checks like blood pressure assessments.
The national career structure for care staff will also be expanded, providing opportunities for career progression, skills development, and improving retention.
Furthermore, the government plans to introduce a shared digital platform that will allow up-to-date medical information to be shared between the NHS and care staff, ensuring the best possible care for patients.
Streeting said that the investment and reforms will help to “modernise social care, get it working more closely with the NHS, and help deliver our Plan for Change.”
However, he recognises that the aging population, with care costs expected to double over the next 20 years, requires long-term action.
Long term reform
The government is also starting work for long-term reform, with plans to overhaul social care and address the inherited challenges.
A key element of this reform will be the creation of a National Care Service, which will be built on national standards to ensure consistency of care across the UK.
As a first step, an independent commission will be established to inform the work needed to deliver this Read More…