Social care reform is much-needed and long overdue

Responding to the prime minister's speech at the Labour Party conference, the chief executive of the NHS Alliance, Sir Ciarán Devane, said:
 
"It’s really good to see the government’s commitment to reforming social care. This is much-needed and long overdue. 

"We welcome the prime minister’s call for an honest conversation as he looks to build a consensus.

"That means being careful about some of the assumptions.

"A better funded, universal national care service would be a huge improvement on the present situation, but it won’t on its own integrate better with the NHS. So as well as looking at the funding model, it will be important to ensure that reforms break down the barriers between health and social care, so both parts of the system are truly working towards shared goals and providing a seamless experience for patients. 

"We should also take care not to assume that better integrated health and social care will always save money. For example, fewer hospital admissions or delayed discharges from hospital will lead to a better experience for patients. But the money is only saved – and can only be redeployed to social care - if the NHS can stand down staff and close wards. 

"Amid the many complexities in this debate the government must be clear-sighted in pursuing a social care service that helps people live their lives in the way they wish for as long as they can, that better protects vulnerable people, reduces inequalities, is properly funded and represents good value for the taxpayer."