All talk no action

Now is the time to take action. That was the bold statement in the social care white paper Building the National Care Service.

So why, after the largest consultation ever on the subject, is the conclusion that we need to talk about it a bit more?

Setting up a commission to decide how we fund social care was a neat pre-election sidestep. A national care service which is free when you need it is an extremely exciting prospect. But it presents challenges for housing and care providers that need addressing now.

The white paper confirmed the government’s commitment to the personalisation agenda. It also detailed a welcome commitment to preventative services. The white paper describes the success of the partnerships for older people projects, which joined up local authorities and the health service to reduce the number of older people needing emergency admissions to hospital or requiring residential care.

Interventions across the program-me have produced a saving of around £1.20 in emergency bed days for every extra £1 spent on the POPP service.

The white paper is not new in recognising the need to join up housing, health and social care. But it has increased the pressure with a new duty for local authorities and NHS bodies to deliver integrated services and aims to make significant efficiency savings as a result.

It also recognises that, as our society ages, people’s housing needs continue to change. We must deliver new integrated solutions. And we must close older properties that will no longer meet customers’ needs in a way which is supportive and sympathetic towards those who are living there.
Politicians’ fancy footwork over social care will continue throughout the election campaign. As providers, we need to tackle it head-on.

Jane Ashcroft is chief executive of Anchor