LGA response to Care Quality Commission report on integration

14 Jul 2016 10:05 AM

An LGA spokesperson said: "There are many examples where local health systems are integrating to the benefit of older people in need of health care and support."

"However, to really ensure that individuals receive the care they need and deserve, we need social care to be properly funded by Government.

"Despite the financial pressures faced by local authorities, councils and their partners want people's needs and wishes to remain central to their care.

"Councils, care providers, charities and the NHS are all united around the need for central Government to fully fund adult social care as this is vital to ensure our loved ones enjoy the dignified and independent quality of life they deserve. As a starting point, the Government should bring forward £700 million of desperately-needed social care funding earmarked for the end of the decade to allow councils to protect vital social care services essential to easing the pressure on care providers and on the NHS."

View report: http://www.cqc.org.uk/sites/default/files/20160712b_buildingbridges_report.pdf

NOTE TO EDITORS:

Stepping up to the place: The key to successful integration was launched on 15 June at the annual NHS Confederation Conference and calls for:

• National leaders to redress the shortfall in funding, particularly in public health and community services as demand outstrips resource
• A cultural shift away from focusing on services only when people are ill or have critical social care needs, to improving public health and meeting the needs of people
• Local leaders to look beyond individual organisations to work together to better integrate and make transformation happen quicker
• Agreement and action to address the barriers to making integration happen