Scope responds to plans to integrate health and social care

The Government announced plans to introduce better integration between health and social care services in an attempt to solve the social care crisis. The Care Minister Norman Lamb MP said he hoped this would end people being passed around through health and social care systems because services are currently unco-ordinated services.

Responding to this new development, Chief Executive of Scope Richard Hawkes welcomed steps to integrate services but warned that the root cause of the social care crisis was chronic underfunding which is still yet to be resolved. He said:

“The social care system is in deep crisis. We need urgent action.

“Today’s commitment to integrate health and social care builds on positive work in the sector. But it doesn’t tackle the root of the crisis: chronic underfunding.

“Councils and health services are in an impossible position. They have growing numbers of people who need care at a time when billions of pounds are being taken out of the system.

“A rationing of care means disabled people have to reach crisis point before they get basic support. Many are left without support to get up, get washed and dressed, have a homecooked meal or leave their homes.

“We desperately need a funding solution in this year’s spending review to underpin the reform of social care.” 

At the same time, a Parliamentary Inquiry into the social care crisis for disabled people is warning that the current social care system is having a devastating impact on people’s lives.

The inquiry, jointly chaired by Baroness Jane Campbell, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Disability Group, and Heather Wheeler MP, Chair of the Local Government All-Party Parliamentary Group, are urging the Government to give councils access of up to £2 billion NHS budget to solve social care crisis for disabled people.

They argue this money should be made available through Local Health and Wellbeing Boards for councils and the NHS to jointly spend on preventative social care to help stop disabled people reaching crisis in the first place.