Ministers are launching an independent historic commission to reform adult social care as they warn older people could be left without vital help and support. NHS it is suppressed unless a “national consensus” is reached that the system “fails”.
Arise, lead to cross-bench match Lewis Caseyin developing plans for a new national service concern, a clear pledge of Labor’s election, the biggest social concern in England in decades.
Millions of pounds in funding for elderly and disabled people to make home repairs and stay out of hospital was also announced on Friday as part of a wider support package for the sector.
But the proposed timeframe for completing the commission’s work was criticized by health and care chiefs, who accused ministers of kicking the social crisis of adults “into the long grass”. An interim report will be delivered in 2026. The final report is not expected until 2028.
Writing in the Guardian, Benedict Streeting He said: “It will take time, but Casey’s work will finally take this stinger and put our country on the road to building a public health service that meets the urgent needs of our generation, provides quality care for all who need it and lasts for a long time. in the future, whichever government is in power.”
The health secretary added: “By 2000, there will be four million more people over the age of 65 in England than there are now. If we do nothing, real social care spending is expected to nearly double from 2038 to 2018 numbers.
“More people are needing care without care, health care burdens are falling, and our NHS is being overwhelmed.”
Casey, a former civil servant and as-a-study to governments of all stripes and to four prime ministers, is “engaging all political parties and the public” to build a “national consensus” around what the country wants from social care, Streeting said. it is added.
The health secretary said Labor “took a lot of flak” during last year’s general election campaign “for failing to spell out clearly” its plans for the national health service.
“I was honest about why – general election campaigns are where social welfare policies die,” he wrote. “In 2009, when Andy Burnham was talking about social care, he set up a cross party, David Cameron pulled out and published every interview to attack Labor during the election campaign.
“In 2017, it was Labor who torpedoed Theresa May’s proposals. Then Rishi Sunak tipped Boris Johnson’s hat on healthcare costs.
Vico said there had been “a good supply of ideas” on how to tackle the crisis in the last 15 years “but a lack of good politics”. He said the government’s job is to “do things differently.”
However, the health secretary immediately came under fire from some health and care leaders over a proposed task force.
The commission will be divided into two stages. The first phase of the government’s report is expected in mid-2026, exploring issues around social care and recommending mid-term reforms. The second phase of the report, not expected until 2018, will make recommendations for a longer period.
Nadra Ahmed, co-executive chair of the National Health Care Association, told the Guardian that she accepted the commission’s mission, but had “serious concerns” about the final report not being delivered for at least three years.
Called to bring the interim and final report information, he added: “We have a section” that cannot wait long. It is a concern that waiting for the report of that commission will set back the social crisis in the long-term grass.
Prof. Martin Green, chief executive of Care England, said: “This announcement recognizes a decade of crisis in social care, but it risks becoming yet another report that gathers dust while the party is on the rocks.
“This Commission will simply confirm what we already know – how many more reports must be tolerated before action is taken?”
Hugh Alderwick, director of design at the Health The foundation also warned the commission to “move quickly” or risk “history repeating itself”.
“The adult social care system in England desperately needs reform after decades of political neglect and underfunding,” he said. “So the promise of a social care plan is welcome.
“But we’ve been here before. The past three decades have seen a long series of reports and reviews make recommendations for social care reforms, including by government commissions as announced today. He made delays and promises.
“This new commission must move quickly and build on the previous proposals.
“Today’s announcement suggests that there may be three years ahead of recommendations for longer-term reform, including a broken foundation for social care. This risks history repeating itself, with reforms not being implemented and people suffering.
Sarah Woolnough, chief executive at the King’s Fund, welcomed the commission’s mission, but urged the government to “take time”.
“The current reporting period from 2028 is too long to wait for people who need social care and their families.”
According to a press release, commission officials announced on Friday that more investment will be granted to Disabled Facilities Allowance, allowing people to apply for funding to carry out work such as opening gates, improving access, installing ramps or stairs, or building an extension.
An £86m boost for 2024/25 over the £86m announced in the budget for 2025/26 brings the annual figure to £711m. About 7,800 more elderly and disabled people could benefit, officials said.
Care workers will be trained to perform additional tasks such as checking blood pressure, reducing the need for patients to travel to a doctor or clinic. A digital platform to share medical information between the NHS and healthcare teams will also be created.