The announcement of a new social care commission was met with audible gasps from commentators, carers and people in need of care and support (ministers are planning the biggest shake-up in adult social care in England for decades, January 3). We have all been here before, building expectations of reform and daring to hope that things would change, only to be disappointed by the inaction of successive governments. There is little to inspire confidence that this time will be different. But could that be so?
The appointment of Louise Casey as Chair of the Committee is to be welcomed; she has a track record of cutting through the weeds and delivering unequivocal conclusions and recommendations. But it is a huge challenge given the repeated failures of previous commissions and policy efforts. The timetable for the commission is unclear and poorly communicated – an interim report in one year and a final report in three is simply too long and indicates a lack of political urgency.
Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, must change his view of ‘the crisis’. The presentation of social care as a ‘burden’ on society and the NHS is unhelpful and demeaning. He denounces past failures to tackle reform as “a lack of good politics”, and then demonstrates his ability to be tone-deaf to the values and principles that should underpin social care. Reforms are needed for many reasons, but the most important is the dignity and quality of life of people of all ages who need care and support to live their lives. Streeting believes this is the time to finally “grab the nettle” and “the best is yet to come”; but it will take much more than banal buzzwords to develop the vision and create a new Beveridge for our time.
Dr. Melanie Henwood
Hartwell, Northamptonshire
I welcome the establishment of a task force led by Louise Casey. I have worked in the NHS as a general nurse, mental health nurse and health visitor, and in social care as a care services inspector. Until my retirement I was Chief Inspector of Social Services in Ireland, with a PhD in Social Policy on the quality of care for older people. I suggest that social care should be the umbrella body, with community health, hospital health, mental health, public health, housing, social security and environmental health flowing from it. Here’s why: Social care looks at people holistically, while the NHS looks at parts of you.
If you have a lung complaint, the NHS will look at the lungs. But if you live in a damp home, treating the respiratory tract alone will not solve the cause. People with chronic pain get pain relief, but the pain often prevents them from sleeping. Focusing on treating insomnia can help them manage their pain better.
Setting up social care as a one-stop shop will save money in the longer term as holistic care will ensure that everyone does not have to trudge from one appointment to another as they are seen as a whole person and not only like a body part gone wrong .
Doctor Marion Witton
London
I remember when we were studying history at A-level, when we were discussing an issue that was too difficult for a government to handle, our teacher would conclude: “So what do governments do when they want to kick something into the grass?” We responded with the refrain: “Set up a royal commission!” Plus a change …
Mike Smith
Hythe, Hampshire