Our original aim has been to generate additional funds for the NHS. However, in considering the significant funding issues also faced in social care, we have devised a mechanism by which additional funds for this similarly vital sector can be realised. We now offer a health and social care funding solution, in recognition of the interconnectedness of these two services.
The idea of linking health and social care has been proposed by The Health Foundation and King’s Fund, who stated “there are good pragmatic arguments for debating the funding challenges for health and social care together”. (A fork in the road: Next steps for social care funding reform, 2018).
In 2018 the newly merged Department for Health and Social care was established, also in recognition of their close relationship. Our proposals present an opportunity to demonstrate to the country the benefits of and reasons for taking this step.
In March 2020 the Health Secretary wrote to all MPs and Peers seeking input and ideas on how to “sort social care”. The Terms of Reference were:
1. The ability to build (and secure) a cross-party consensus on social care.
2. The ability for people and families to take responsibility for planning for their future and make some contribution to the costs of care.
3. The need to get the balance right.
4. The competing demands on taxpayers’ money from other public services.
We address these items, and with a reliable funding stream in place enable Government to introduce a National Care Service, to finally 'fix' social care.
The issues which most concern people include:
- The quality of support received at home.
- The lack of carer staff to deliver this.
- The preference to remain at home.
- The fear of needing long-term, costly care arising from dementia or other complex medical needs.
- The impact on their personal finances.
We address these issues, including the need to improve the employment status, pay and security of the key, front-line staff. Training, career development, upskilling and alignment with the NHS is also addressed, in order that a more co-ordinated service can be provided. Proposals for improving support for those affected by dementia and other complex medical needs have also been devised.
In October 2020 the Health and Social Care Committee published its report into social care workforce and funding. Tellingly, it stated:
“In this report we have not examined how such an increase could be funded but we recognise the challenges involved and the need for innovative thinking to address them…….the gravity of the crisis now facing the social care sector requires a bold response”.
Our solutions are innovative and bold, presenting an immediate way forward, by way of a long-term, strategic, integrated solution.
“Britain’s long-term fiscal position is unsustainable. Within two decades the country will have 50% more over-65’s than today. Either taxes will have to go up, or spending spread so thinly that recent austerity will look like a picnic. Voters have been left unprepared for the hard choices that, sooner or later, Britain will have to confront.”
