LGA responds to Health and Social Care Committee report on health and care reform white paper

Responding to a Health and Social Care Committee report on the Government’s white paper on reform of health and care, Cllr David Fothergill, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, said:

“As the Committee’s report rightly states, the absence of a long-term, fully funded plan for social care has the potential to destabilise other proposed health and care reforms.

“A clear timeline is urgently needed from government on when concrete proposals will be brought forward. We are keen to work with the Government and other stakeholders on a cross-party basis to ensure the millions of people of all ages across the country who draw on social care are able to access the support they need to help them live the life they want to lead.

“We support the aim of greater transparency in social care but have significant concerns about the report’s recommendation for Ofsted-style ratings for councils’ social care services. Assurance needs to build on existing sector-led improvement support, recognise local democratic accountability and give a meaningful voice to people who draw on social care. We favour a review-driven approach looking at care as a whole, based on a shared agreement of what ‘good’ looks like, a person-centred approach and locally flexible care and support.”