WIREDGOV

The Government must show clearer leadership on funding to deliver real changes to the social care system, according to the health and social care charity The Patients Association.

Katherine Murphy, Chief Executive of The Patients Association, labelled the Care and Support White Paper a ‘whitewash’ unless the Government is prepared to commit new funding.

As part of the proposals set out in the white paper the Government has agreed in principle with a key recommendation from last year’s Dilnot Review that a cap on individual contributions to fund care would be desirable, but has failed to agree the £1.7 billion it would cost to deliver the plan.

This is despite recently released Treasury figures showing an underspend of £1.7 billion in the National Health Service budget.

The Patients Association has welcomed some initiatives contained within the white paper, such as:

-    National standards on eligibility to tackle the postcode lottery in care provision

-    Extending the right to an assessment to more carers

-    Legislating to give patients an entitlement to a personal budget

However, there are serious concerns that without the necessary funding elderly patients could have to wait even longer to see better quality and more accessible care.

Katherine Murphy, Chief Executive of The Patients Association, said,

“The Government’s white paper on social care is a whitewash and makes very disappointing reading for patients, carers and the public. We are deeply concerned that twelve months on from the Dilnot recommendations there is a lack of clear leadership from Government on either timescales or funding for a new system of social care for our aging population.

The Government set up the Dilnot Review into this crucial issue, they say they agree in principle and seem to recognise that there is a consensus for change. However, they now urgently need to provide the funding and act now to deliver on their own commitments.”

Notes

The Patients Association is a campaigning charity, listening to patients and speaking up for change. It has been working for nearly 50 years to make sure that the patient voice is heard and listened to by policy makers.

For further information please contact the Patients Association on 02084239111.