Opportunity for politicians to put point scoring to one side and deliver reform of social care

For generations social care campaigners have hoped that this time it will be different when it comes to reform of the sector. Promises have been made in the past only for them to be renegade on.

This time it has to be different. What is refreshing is the new Prime Minister’s genuine desire to confront the issue head on. Andy Burnham knows first hand the importance of social care. His own father suffers from Alzheimer’s and was unaware that his son was about to become PM.

Burnham also carries the scars of previous attempts to reform the system. Efforts to turn this into a cross party challenge that is meant collectively are to be applauded. However, it needs all parties to put aside point scoring. The PM’s decision to exclude Reform UK from talks is a misstep, given the party’s footprint across the country.

Baroness Louise Casey, who is currently conducting a review of social care in England, has highlighted repeatedly that difficult questions need to be asked of the public. That means policymakers will also have to make tough choices in order to reform social care.

Unlike NHS care, social care is not free at the point of use and high costs sometimes mean people are forced to sell their homes to pay for what they need. People with savings worth more than £23,250 are not entitled to help with the cost of care from their local council. This only adds more pressure onto the NHS as those requiring social care are unable to access the support they need and as a result end up in hospital more frequently.

Timescales for Baroness Casey’s Independent Commission on Social Care being shortened is encouraging.

Social care reform is an opportunity for politicians to do something for the public for once without point scoring and political posturing.