The Government has announced that a new blueprint for reforming social care, setting out the principes which will guide the approach to social care reform. Anne-Marie has been in discussions with the Department of Health and Ministers over recent months to ensure our social care system is reformed so that it can ease pressures on rural NHS services.
There are seven key principles behind to reform social care which will be detailed in a Green Paper to be published in the summer: quality and safety embedded in service provision; whole person, integrated care with the NHS and social care systems operating as one; the highest possible control given to those receiving support; a valued workforce; better practical support for families and carers; a sustainable funding model for social care supported by a diverse, vibrant and stable market; and greater security for all – for those born or developing a care need early in life and for those entering old age who do not know what their future care needs may be.
Anne-Marie said “This is an important step forward in reforming our social care system. I had lobbied the Government to include social care as part of the Health brief and that was the first step forward to ensuring that we have a truly integrated health and social care system. We simply cannot ease pressures on our NHS services unless they are treated as part of a whole health and social care strategy, and I am glad that the change has been made.”
“Earlier this year I met with the Health Secretary to discuss plans for social care and how to improve NHS services in rural areas such as our own. The rurality of north Northumberland presents unique challenges for both local NHS services and social care and I will be liaising closely with the Department to ensure that these proposals meet the challenges that our areas faces”.