Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid has set out the key principles of the government’s imminent social care white paper.
Speaking at the National Children’s and Adult Services Conference (NCASC), Javid said the white paper on adult social care – due “very shortly” – will focus on three areas.
“First: That everyone has choice, control and support to live independent lives. Second: that everyone can access outstanding personalised care and support. And third: that Adult Social Care is fair and accessible for everyone who needs it,” he added.
“Now of course, we’re not starting from scratch – we’re building on the best of the 2014 Care Act, but being unsentimental in leaving behind what hasn’t worked well from that Act.”
The government will also bring forward a second White Paper on integration between health and social care.
Javid said he wants the government to make it easier for staff to move between health and social care.
“Through the pandemic, so many places have shown what’s possible when people work together. We’ve joined-up on jabs. We’ve been smarter about discharge. And we’ve got data flowing where it needs to go,” he added.
“So our integration white paper will build on all of that, setting out our ambitions on shared electronic health and care records and delivering digital services together.
“It will also set out a more joined-up approach to the workforce. Not only do we want to make it easier for staff to move between health and care, but we want more joint roles across health and social care too.”
Shadow care minister Liz Kendall meanwhile used her address to the NCACS to reaffirm Labour’s plans for a New Deal for Care Workers, to “transform their pay, training, terms and conditions, ensure proper career progression and so frontline care staff are equally valued with those in the NHS”.
“We will never improve the quality of care unless this happens,” she added. Kendall later said social care must be “at the heart of a modernised welfare state”.
“It is as much as part of our infrastructure as the roads and railways, but it urgently needs investment and reform."
Kendall continued: “That is the scale of ambition we need from this white paper. It is time the government delivered.”
