Last week saw the Government taking steps to reform and improve both the short and long-term futures of our health and social care provision, with publication of the long-awaited White Paper on Social Care Reform, as well as the Health and Social Care Approach to Winter.
Adult social care issues have never been more prominent,
with an ageing population, particularly in Cornwall, and particular pressures
brought on by the pandemic. That being said, these issues are also long-term
ones, and ones that successive governments of all parties have made little
progress on, so it is great to see this Government moving and taking action to
review and reform this area that impacts so many people across our society.
The government wants people who draw on care and support to
lead a fulfilling life, playing a full role in society, as well as wanting to
acknowledge the important role of families and friends in caring for one another,
while also enabling those who provide unpaid care to a friend or loved one to
be supported to achieve their own life goals. On top of this it is critical
that the adult social care workforce feels recognised and has opportunities to
develop their careers.
There are three key objectives that the Government wants to
achieve from this white paper as part of a ten-year vision. That people have
choice, control and support to live independent lives, that people can access
outstanding quality and tailored care and support, and that people find adult
social care fair and accessible.
Initiatives taken to achieve these goals across the next
three years include:
·
at least £300 million to integrate housing into
local health and care strategies,
·
at least £150 million of additional funding to
drive greater adoption of technology and achieve widespread digitisation across
social care
·
at least £500 million so the social care
workforce have the right training and qualifications, and feel recognised and
valued for their skills and commitment.
·
a new practical support service to make minor
repairs and changes in people’s homes to help people remain independent and
safe in their home
·
up to £25 million to work with the sector to
kick-start a change in the services provided to support unpaid carers
·
£30 million to help local areas innovate around
the support and care they provide in new and different ways, providing more
options that suit people’s needs and individual circumstances
These proposals are backed by the new Health and Social Care
Levy which £5.4 billion is being invested into adult social care over the next
3 years, and I hope will finally see some long-term movement and reform of this
crucial area that will impact us all at some time or other.
As well as these long-term proposals, the Government also
announced its launch of Health and Social Care Approach to Winter last week, recognising
that this winter will be more challenging than many faced by the NHS, adult
social care providers and local authorities.
Among many others, these measures include,
• working to recruit 18,000 more staff, including nurses,
healthcare support workers and medical support workers
• keeping the nation protected against the virus, especially
against the new Omicron variant, through vaccination with over 15 million
boosters delivered in England, and the biggest flu vaccination programme in UK
history;
• bolstering capacity across urgent and emergency care and
the wider NHS, including a £250 million investment in general practice, £55
million for the ambulance service, and £75 million for NHS111;
• investing £478 million for support services,
rehabilitation and reablement care following discharge from hospital, and ensuring
health and social care services are joined up.
The publication also announces the allocation of the £700
million Targeted Investment Fund which includes support to deliver a range of
projects including:
• additional day surgery units to boost activity and
minimise length of stay;
• additional permanent and modular theatres and surgical
hubs to improve productivity;
• investment in outpatient space to increase the numbers of
patients that can be seen by specialists; and
• investment in imaging, including upgrades to MRI and
mobile breast screening units.
The South West region will receive £69million funding from
the government in order to do this and this will be targeted investment focused
on the highest priority areas to help return elective care services to
pre-pandemic levels.
It is good to see the Government prioritising these areas to
support our health and social care services, both during this winter and in the
long-term reforms to social care that have been needed for so long. I will continue
to do all I can to ensure that Cornwall benefits from these positive and
progressive steps.
