All people across England have been invited to take part in the Big Conversation on Care, closing on 23 September, giving members of the public the chance to help shape the future of adult social care.
The Big Conversation on Care is part of the Independent Commission on Adult Social Care, chaired by Baroness Louise Casey of Blackstock. All the views heard by the Commission in the Big Conversation will be brought together and considered alongside the other evidence to help inform the Commission’s recommendations to Government on adult social care.
Thousands of households will also begin receiving letters as of today (21 September) inviting people aged 18 and over to register their interest in joining the Public Panel on Care, also a part of the Big Conversation on Care.
Adult social care supports old people, disabled people, and people with long-term health conditions to help them live independently and safely. But it is not working well enough for many people and change is needed to ensure that those who need support can get it. The failing social care system puts pressure on the NHS, for example when hospital beds are occupied by older people who do not have a clinical need for them, but there is nowhere else safe for them to go.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has committed to reforming adult social care, fast-tracking Louise Casey’s independent review and holding cross-party talks with the leaders of the Liberal Democrat and Conservative parties.
Toby Perkins, MP for Chesterfield, said: “Adult social care is one of the biggest concerns I hear about from my constituents. Whether it is the cost of care, how the system is funded, the quality of care their loved ones receive, or the pressure placed on families, too many people have direct experience of a system that is not working as well as it should.
I’m pleased that the Government is making reforming adult social care a priority. But if we are going to get this right, it is vital that we listen to the people who know the system best. Older people, disabled people, families and carers who rely on the care system and experience it every day, can help us understand what is going wrong and how to improve it. The Big Conversation is an opportunity to make sure those voices are heard and that people’s real-life experiences help shape the future of social care. I would remind everyone who has a view or experience to take part and have their say by the 23rd of September.”
You can take part online in the Big Conversation on Care here: https://caseycommission.co.uk/bigconversation/take-part/.
