Press Release

SOCIAL CARE IN CRISIS: GREEN PAPER A 'GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY'

12 May 2008
 
Right care Right deal, the new national campaign launched to build public awareness and support for the need for brave and innovative solutions for the social care system, have today responded to Prime Minister Gordon Brown's pledge to build a "fairer Britain" as he launches a consultation on how to fund future social care for an ageing population.

The campaign have today released a 'Statement of Intent' (please see attached), outlining the principles that must underpin any new social care system.

Bringing together 3 of the largest charities working in the field of social care, the campaign aims to outline the policy changes necessary to create a future where people have the choice and the control to live their lives, their way.

Paul Cann,   Director of Policy at Help the Aged and spokesperson for the Right care Right deal campaign, said:

"Social care is in crisis. 50 per cent of those who qualify for help don't get it, because councils cannot afford to help anyone not in dire need. 

 "The Green Paper presents a golden opportunity to fix what many experience as a broken system - unfit for the future and unable to deliver the quality of care and support they  wish for.  

"It's vital that the Government step up  and recognise that this is a spending priority .  They must commit  to transforming the system into one that is easy to understand,   fair and  sustainable , but above all which helps people live the life that they choose.  

 "We must be brave enough to put every aspect of our current system under the microscope. There must be a national debate, including not only politicians and policy makers, but care users themselves and future users of the system."

Stephen Burke, Chief Executive of Counsel & Care and spokesperson for the Right care Right deal campaign said:

“The care debate has the potential to shape and improve lives for generations of people. Whether it will do so depends on how ambitious we all are, how bold the Government is prepared to be, and how successful we are in engaging the public in the debate. Better care and support really is everybody’s business.

“The vision must be ambitious and broad enough to capture the things that make a real difference to older and disabled people and their carers and families from better transport and housing to flexible employment, secure income and good information and advice.

“One of the many concerns older people and their carers who contact Counsel and Care’s advice service have about the current care system is its inconsistency or the postcode lottery in levels of care and charging. Having paid tax and national insurance all their lives, older people can’t understand why good care isn’t available wherever they live – particularly if family or friends elsewhere can get a better service.

“Any new care system must deal with this lottery; it must be simpler and fairer; consistent and transparent so it’s clear what you can get and what you have to pay wherever you live; and flexible and personal giving people control.

“The starting point for this debate is the fact that the status quo is not an option for the 21st century. But that is not enough on its own to secure a new vision – that will require ambition, boldness and above all ensuring that everybody in this country sees the care debate as their business.”

 

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