A new independent
commission will be established to advise the Government on the
future funding of long-term care and the NHS will be reformed to
improve patient outcomes, Health Secretary Andrew Lansley
announced today.
Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said
“This document sets out a clear message to the NHS. That our
united vision is for a healthcare system which achieves outcomes
that are amongst the best in the world, and free from day-to-day
political interference.
“We will cut bureaucracy and hand back power to clinicians and
patients to ensure they are at the forefront of decision making
about NHS services. The proposals will drive up standards of care,
eliminate waste and lead to better outcomes that improve the
health of the nation.”
Today’s coalition announcement sets out how the Government will
push forward reform of social care. The Government will:
establish an independent commission on the funding of long-term
care, to report within a year;
break down barriers between health and social care funding to
incentivise preventative action;
extend the greater roll-out of personal budgets to both older
and disabled people and carers to give more control and purchasing
power; and
increase direct payments to carers and better community-based
provision to improve access to respite care.
Care Services Minister Paul Burstow said:
“Urgent reform of the social care system is at the top of our
agenda. The current system is unsustainable – it cannot go on as
it is. Our first step to reform is to establish an independent commission.
“The Commission on Long Term Care will be tasked with delivering
a sustainable settlement, which is a fair partnership between the
state and the individual. We’ll set out further details and the
terms of reference soon.”
The Government has also today announced that it will not be
commencing the provisions in the Personal Care at Home Act, 2010
relating to free care at home. However, the Government will be
considering what more can be done on re-ablement and
carers' breaks in the light of available resources.
Notes to Editors
The coalition agreement can be found at http://www.hmg.gov.uk/programmeforgovernment
For further information contact the Department of Health Media
Centre on 020 7210 5221.
Contacts:
Department of Health
Phone: 020 7210 5221
NDS.DH@coi.gsi.gov.uk