15 Sep Professor Martin Green OBE comments on “Home Truths” report
Commenting on the King’s Fund Report; Social Care for Older People, Home Truths, Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England said:
“Adult social care is a huge challenge for this Government. This report reaffirms what providers have been telling us: that without adequate resources the sector will simply crumble. It is dangerous to underestimate the potential role and capacity of the independent sector in supporting NHS sustainability and reducing delayed discharge numbers, which continue to rise”.
Care England, the largest representative body for independent social care providers, has submitted evidence to three Parliamentary Select Committees this summer. It is clear that the social care precept has not delivered what it was meant to, raising less than two thirds of the costs of the National Living Wage, and that the Better Care Fund hasn’t reached social care provision. ADASS has shown that the system needs at least £1 billion, each year until the end of this Parliament, simply to maintain the status quo.
Professor Martin Green continues:
“Providers are willing to work with politicians and commissioners, but this goodwill needs to extend to action in order that those in our care can continue to rely on the availability of the high quality care that they need and deserve. The King’s Fund has shown definitively that underfunding, combined with shortages of nurses and care workers, is putting unprecedented strain on providers”.
