This latest report further reflects the urgent need to reform adult social funding, which cannot be ignored if we are to rescue the sector from crisis.
Responding to a report by the Institute for Government (IFG) on ‘How to fix the funding of health and social care’, Cllr Izzi Seccombe, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, said:
“This latest report further reflects the urgent need to reform adult social funding, which cannot be ignored if we are to rescue the sector from crisis. It also rightly recognises that the crisis in social care is in many respects greater than that facing the NHS.
“It crucially recognises that long-term, sustainable funding, rather than short-term emergency cash injections, is essential to securing long-lasting stability.
“Given the difficult and possibly controversial decisions that will likely need to be made, cross-party and public support are vital if we are to reform the system to help people of all ages receive the care and support they need to leave happier and more independent lives.
“Properly funding social care and prevention measures not only helps councils with overly-stretched budgets protect care services, it also helps to prevent crises and cost pressures in the NHS by reducing the numbers of people who are admitted to hospital in the first place.
“All funding options should be up for discussion and feed into the forthcoming Green Paper to deliver future-proof reforms fit for the 21st century.
“With the NHS receiving a 70th birthday bonus in extra funding, there has never been a more pressing time for adult social care to receive a similar cash boost to safeguard care now and for generations to come.”