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Responding to the publication of the House of Lords Public Service and Demographic Change Committee’s report Ready for Ageing?, Chris Ham, Chief Executive of The King's Fund, said:

‘This report is a timely reminder of the significant challenges facing health and social care. It is great news that more people in the UK are living longer, but this adds new pressure to services already in need of change. An ageing population is just one of several factors driving change, which also include rising patient expectations and a shifting burden of disease.

‘Fundamental changes are needed in the way care is delivered. Despite improvements during the past decade, the current models of health and social care were designed in and for a very different era.

‘We welcome the report’s clear focus on better co-ordinated services, and there is an urgent need to develop integrated care at scale and pace, particularly for older people with long-term conditions.

‘The Committee is right to highlight the mounting financial pressure on social care budgets. The government’s recent announcement on the reform of care funding was an important step on the way to a sustainable funding settlement, but must not be seen as the end of the journey.

‘This report is a wake-up call to politicians of all parties. They must now think differently about the long-term challenges in health and social care if we are to avoid sleepwalking into the future.’

Notes to editors: 

For further information or to request an interview, please contact the Press and Public Affairs team on 020 7307 2585 (if calling out of hours, please ring 07584 146 035).

The King’s Fund is a charity that seeks to understand how the health system in England can be improved. Using that insight, we help shape policy, transform services and bring about behaviour change. Our work includes research, analysis, leadership development and service improvement. We also offer a wide range of resources to help everyone working in health to share knowledge, learning and ideas.

Contact the press team

M:  07584 146035

E:  mediaoffice@kingsfund.org.uk

• Patrick South

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• Daniel Webster

  Senior Press and Public Affairs Officer

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