Sylvia Heal

Labour Party | Halesowen and Rowley Regis

MP Sylvia Heal backs pledge to improve social care

Local MP Sylvia Heal has welcomed the Government’s announcement that they are to carry out an extensive review into social care.

The inquiry comes after a report published recently by the Commission for Social Care Inspection that found 73% of local authorities plan to refuse care to people whose needs are not considered to be substantial or critical. Sylvia has welcomed the Governments response to these shocking findings and commented: “The current situation in social care is not good enough, I welcome the end of the “no help here” culture which is now evident in too many parts of the care system. The review, which will be published later this year, will take into account the voice of those who use care services and the ultimate aim is to make the care they rely on, more responsive to their needs.  Having worked with disabled and elderly people in my previous profession, I am acutely aware of the potential pitfalls of the current system and consider this overhaul to be a very positive move”.

The inquiry will be carried out alongside a radical programme of adult social care reform in 2008. This will include a New Deal for Carers, a three year transformation agenda within every local authority area, the first ever national dementia strategy and an extension of the government’s dignity in care campaign.