NHS could take over social care, swelling budget to £150bn

[Northerner]

Social care could be brought under the control of the NHS in England in a controversial move that would cause the health service’s budget to soar to £150bn, the Guardian has learned.

Downing Street has drafted in David Cameron’s former policy chief Camilla Cavendish to help finalise proposals designed to honour Boris Johnson’s pledge to “fix the crisis in social care”.

Under plans being examined by Cavendish and ministers, the government would take responsibility for social care services away from councils in England – together with the £22.5bn in annual funding – and hand it to the NHS, the Guardian understands. On Monday night the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) denied it had plans to merge the two public services.

The proposed merger would be designed to make it easier for frail older people, as well as vulnerable children and the disabled, to access the care they need and ease the strain on an overburdened NHS.

Revealed: NHS could take over social care, swelling budget to £150bn

Exclusive: former Cameron policy chief drafted in to help with Johnson’s pledge to fix social care in England

www.theguardian.com

 

[trophywench]

I don't actually care much who is responsible for it, as long as it gets sorted.

 

[trophywench]

I'd add that the complaints about reducing LA's budgets only re-iterate to me my thoughts that LAs are using their social care payments from Government towards other services, rather than spending them on social care!

 

[Pumper_Sue]

The proposed merger would be designed to make it easier for frail older people, as well as vulnerable children and the disabled, to access the care they need and ease the strain on an overburdened NHS.

That should be interesting as there's a 5 week wait to talk to a GP at my practice, at least 2 weeks for a sectary to write a referral letter. 8 months down the line I'm still awaiting an urgent endocrinology apt.

 

[atoll]

makes for a nice and Bigger pie to be sold off and privatised,classic divide and conquer stratergy

 

[robert@fm]

I'd add that the complaints about reducing LA's budgets only re-iterate to me my thoughts that LAs are using their social care payments from Government towards other services, rather than spending them on social care!

That would explain why Lambeth Council are attempting to charge those who need carers (such as me) £72 per week for the "privilege". 😡🙄 On the advice of my main carer, l am refusing to pay this, as it's most of my invalidity benefit. 🙄

 

[Pumper_Sue]

That would explain why Lambeth Council are attempting to charge those who need carers (such as me) £72 per week for the "privilege". 😡🙄 On the advice of my main carer, l am refusing to pay this, as it's most of my invalidity benefit. 🙄

If you are being paid PIP/ DLA/ Attendance allowance then yes they do take that as payment. It's what it's for. When my father was alive attendance allowance rate was always charged as part of the care package so all that went as well as a contribution from parents savings. He had 24/7 care from family plus outside carers 4 times a day ( Oh talk about fab carers as well)