Care minister Helen Whately has set out a personal vision for a joined-up, people-first health and social care system during a parliamentary debate.
Answering an urgent question by shadow care minister Liz Kendall on the government’s plans for social care reform, Whately said the pandemic has presented a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to “build back better in social care”.
“I want people to be able to get the care that they need when they need it, and to have choices—to live life to the full in the way they want, living independently and part of a community for as long as possible, without facing an astronomical bill,” she said.
“I want to join up health and care around people, so that it works as one system dedicated to meeting the needs of individuals, and giving them the personal care they want and need to live their lives to the full,” she added.
Whately said the health and care bill will introduce Care Quality Commission oversight of local authorities’ provision of social care, as well helping to join up health and social care by putting integrated care systems on a statutory footing.
“We know that cost is a real problem, but there is also a real variation in quality of care. That is one reason why the health and social care Bill introduces an assurance or oversight system of the provision of care commissioned by local authorities,” she added.
The care minister also expressed a desire for the care workforce to be “properly recognised and valued for what they do”.
“I want them to have more training, more opportunities and more prospects for career progression. I am committed to supporting unpaid carers not only in the care they provide, but with their own health and well-being, so that they can live their own lives as well as caring for others.”
Whately meanwhile confirmed the government is working on a long-term plan for social care and will bring forward proposals for social care reform later this year.
