What does the sector want out of the Dilnot comission

Members of the Care and Support Alliance have been talking about their hopes for the Dilnot Commission into long-term care, which reports next month.

This follows a letter they sent to each of the three main party leaders on Tuesday, urging them to put aside their party differences and reach a consensus, to end public uncertainty.

Whilst members of the consortium are clear that decisions need to be made, and soon, many are less certain about what they should be. 

This is understandable, given the complexity and scale of what is at stake, but a few ventured suggestions.

The Joseph Rowntree foundation advocates a system driven by personal outcomes rather than services.

They argue that everyone should expect a minimum set of outcomes, but if people wanted more, they could choose to take out insurance.

The British Geriatric Society stress the need for increased use of technology and a minimum level of provision, which should be widely publicised, to allow people to plan for old age.

Emily Holzhausen, director of policy and public affairs at Carers UK, said we need a fair solution which is easily understood and offers adequate support to families.

“We need more funding to meet growing demand.  We know we have a shortfall today we need to meet that shortfall and meet rising demand. 

“The state has an important role in funding and ensuring that people can plan for what they need.

“It is really important that the families are well supported.  If you invest in care, more families are able to work, their health is better they are less isolated.

“Many cares say that they would not change their decision to care, but they need quality of life.  They are saving the government £190bn a year,” she said.

Professor Peter Beresford, of Brunel University, said he had the strong sense the recommendations will be heavily constrained by what they think the government will accept.

He said social care should be funded through general taxation, in the same why it funds the NHS. 

“It’s more than money, but without money the problems are going to stay,” he said.

This article was published on the Community Care website on Friday, June 3, 2011.
http://www.communitycare.co.uk/blogs/adult-care-blog/2011/06/what-does-the-sector-want-out-of-the-dilnot-commission.html