As the government indicates further delays to its white
paper on social care reform, Saga continues in its drive to urge the government
that reform cannot wait.
Giving evidence at the health select committee consultation
on social care reform, Dr Ros Altmann of Saga comments: “The current system is
not sustainable. There is a funding shortfall, with councils cutting care
services as demand rises faster than available funds. Not reforming care will
mean the NHS running out of resources. We need a system, which prepares people
for care. We need a partnership model, where individuals pay for some care and
start to prepare for care needs once it is clear what they will get from the
state. The message we get from older people is that they will happily pay for
some of their care but do not want to lose everything. Demand for care is
increasing and yet the amount being spent on care appears to be falling.”
Long term care news: 25 June 2012
