Government launches the Big Care Debate
A radical reform of care and support services
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Everyone in England will have access to a National Care Service that is fair, simple and affordable under plans set out by Health Secretary Andy Burnham in the Green Paper Shaping the Future of Care Together.
Huge pressures are being put on existing services. More people need care because they are living longer – in 1948 life expectancy was 66 while today it is 78. For the first time there are more people over the age of 65 than there are under the age of 18.
The current system is also unfair. Some people have to pay tens of thousands of pounds or sell their house, to pay for care. Someone with Alzheimer’s, for example, could have to pay up to £200,000.
The National Care Service will create a level playing field and end the postcode lottery of care services. Everyone in England will be guaranteed:
• Prevention services - the right support to stay independent and well for as long as possible and to delay care needs getting worse.
• National assessment - care needs will be assessed and paid for in the same way across the country.
• Joined-up services - all the services will work together smoothly.
• Information and advice – the care system will be easy to understand and navigate.
• Personalised care and support - services will be based on personal circumstances and need.
• Fair funding - money will be spent wisely and everyone will get some help meeting the high cost of care needs.
Andy Burnham said:
“We are proposing a radical reform of care - this is the vision for a National Care Service. More of us are living longer - life expectancy is going up and advances in medical science mean that people with a disability are living longer. This is worth celebrating but does mean we need to radically change the way care is provided and paid for.
“We need a system that’s fair, simple and affordable for everyone. A system that gives excellent care wherever we live and whatever our needs.
“Everyone will come into contact with the care system at some point – whether it is ourselves or our families and friends. The National Care Service must be shaped by the people who will use it so we want everyone to tell us what they think. Everyone should join the Big Care Debate today.”
The Big Care Debate will canvas the public’s and people who work in care and support services’ views on what the National Care Service should look like and how care should be paid for. Currently care is not free. More than 50 per cent of over 65 year olds will need care costing at least £25,000. Today’s 65 year olds will need care costing on average £30,000. But many people end up paying much more.
Twenty per cent of people will need care costing less than £1,000 – but 20 per cent will need care costing more than £50,000. And people have no way of knowing which category they will fall into.
Under the National Care Service, everyone will get some care for free. The Government wants to hear people’s views on how we balance what it is fair for everyone to pay, against the need to project some people having to pay huge care costs.
There are three proposals for funding a National Care Service:
• Partnership – the responsibility for paying for care would be shared between the Government and the person who has care needs. The Government provides between a quarter and a third of the cost of care, more for people on a low income. Today’s 65 year olds will need care costing on average £30,000.
• Insurance – the same as partnership but the Government could help people to prepare to meet the costs that they would have to pay for themselves, through an insurance-based approach. As well as receiving between a third and a quarter of the cost of care, the Government would make it easier for people to take out insurance to cover care costs. It is estimated that the cost of insurance could be around £20,000 to £25,000.
• Comprehensive – everyone who can afford it would pay into a state insurance scheme meaning everyone who needs care will receive it free. It is estimated that the cost of being in the system could be between £17,000 and £20,000.
Care Services Minister Phil Hope said:
“If we want to provide really good care to more people we need to change the way the system is funded. We need to radically change it. We’ve spoken to thousands of people, discussed with all the key bodies in the care and support sector, looked at international comparisons, and arrived at three options.
“This really is an issue that affects everyone. Everyone should get involved. The Big Care Debate will run from today until the middle of November. Join the Big Care Debate and get involved in shaping the future of care.”
Communities and Local Government Secretary John Denham said:
"As a population we are getting older. More and more people have care and support needs and we need to think carefully about what we do now to get a fair and affordable system that offers the right support for people in the future.
"Local councils know the needs of local people best. This Green paper confirms our commitment to working with local authorities to deliver responsive, high quality services for everyone."
Imelda Redmond of Carers UK said:
“The Green Paper being launched today is hugely important and the whole country needs to get involved in the debate on the future of care and support. That’s why Carers UK and others have formed a new the Care and Support Alliance, which will help drive discussions raise the profile of care and support across the country. We look forward to working with Government in reforming the system so it works for carers and their families all across the country.”
Notes to Editors
1. The Green Paper Shaping the Future of Care Together can be found at www.careandsupport.direct.gov.uk
2. People can contribute to the debate in a variety of ways.
• Through the website www.careandsupport.direct.gov.uk and facebook site.
• Via leaflets with specific consultation questions, which will be distributed via GP surgeries, pharmacies and other outlets. These can be sent back to the Department freepost.
• Through a series of Department of Health events which will be held throughout the summer. For dates and locations see www.careandsupport.direct.gov.uk
• By holding their own consultation events. A toolkit to help set up an event is available at www.careandsupport.direct.gov.uk
3. There are currently around four people of working age for every person retired. By 2050, this will half to two people. So there will be half the amount of people paying taxes to support the increasing numbers in retirement.
4. The Department ran a series of stakeholder and public engagement events from May – November 2008 to seek people’s views on how care and support should change. Views from that process have shaped the vision for a National Care Service, as well as the funding options. A document summarising the events is also published today.
careandsupport.direct.gov.uk/news/2009/07/government-launches-the-big-care-debate/
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