Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 3
3
This pandemic has shown the tragic impact of delaying much needed social care reform, and...
Conclusion
This pandemic has shown the tragic impact of delaying much needed social care reform, and instead treating the sector as the NHS’s poor relation. This Committee has highlighted the need for change in the social care sector for many years, particularly around the interface between health and social care. Despite the intentions of successive Governments, there have been ongoing delays to reforming and integrating the two sectors. The stark contrast between the approach taken towards protecting the NHS compared with the care sector has been highlighted by many since the start of the pandemic. Various pieces of guidance were issued to the social care sector, but it took the Department until 15 April to publish their action plan for adult social care, over 4 weeks after the initial NHS letter on plans to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak. The Department has much better and more timely information in the NHS than for social care. It is simply unacceptable to hear reports of inadequate PPE, lack of testing and insufficient guidance on training. There have been warnings of an increased risk of provider failure in the care sector, and the Local Government Association and NHS Providers have reiterated the need for urgent reforms to put social care on a sustainable footing after years of under- funding. Recommendation: After years of promises and false starts, we expect the Department to set out in writing to us by October 2020 what it will be doing, organisationally, legislatively and financially, and by when, to make sure the needs of social care are given as much weight as those of the NHS in future. We will be challenging them on this at future sessions.
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
3.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target Implementation date: Outstanding (date to be confirmed in due course) 3.2 The department provided an update to the Committee on 7 October 2020. The government’s current priority for adult social care (and the focus point of the department) is that all recipients of care receive the support they need throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and the winter period ahead, placing equal focus on the NHS and care sectors. 3.3 The Adult Social Care Winter Plan sets out the actions the government will be taking at a national level; and actions that every local area and care provider must be taking to keep COVID-19 at bay. 3.4 The department is acutely aware of the long-term challenges to the social care system in England. Putting social care on a sustainable footing, where everyone is treated with dignity and respect, is one of the biggest challenges’ society faces. There are complex questions to address, to which the department wants to give full consideration in light of current circumstances. 3.5 The department recognises the pressures on the care system are ever-increasing, hence the manifesto commitment to £1 billion extra of funding every year for more social care staff and better infrastructure, technology and facilities, to stabilise the system. The manifesto promised that no one will be forced to sell their home to pay for care and this remains a pressing issue, firmly at the heart of public debate on social care. In reforming the wider social care system, the department has an opportunity to resolve this long-standing unfairness. 3.6 The department is actively considering a range of proposals to bring forward a plan that addresses these challenges for the future and will update on progress following the forthcoming spending review.