Leading social care bodies are today urging all three main party leaders to abandon political in-fighting and reach a consensus on the funding of long-term care and support, ahead of next month’s publication the Dilnot Commission’s final recommendations.
Organisations including the Local Government Association, Age UK, BUPA and the Association of Directors of Adult Social Care have written to the leaders, saying they look forward to working with them to progress reform.
And whilst they recognise that this remains one of the most difficult policy issues, delay is no longer an option.
They say: “The increased pressure on public finances is pushing an already over‐burdened system to breaking point.
“And without further integration between health and social care services this picture could worsen. It is frail, older people who will suffer unless the issue is resolved.”
They urge all political parties to respond to the independent commission’s report through measured debate and to work to build a consensus so that reform can take place this parliament.
Last month Community Care reported that the Dilnot Commission was likely to call for increased state funding for long-term care but was unlikely to recommend free care as in Scotland.
It is likely to back the introduction of national eligibility criteria for social care, ending the current postcode lottery.
It is unlikely to recommend the introduction of a “death tax” in which the cost of a person’s care would be deducted from their estate, but it could go for a system in which people are automatically enrolled in some form of care savings scheme, but have the option to withdraw if they choose.
This article was published on the Community Care website on Wednesday, June 1, 2011.
http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2011/06/01/116922/cameron-clegg-and-miliband-told-to-avoid-political-care-fight.htm
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