Another Commission to sort out Social Care (how many is this now?)
Wes Streeting announced on Friday that he is "to finally grasp the nettle on social care reform", but said the process "would take time".
An independent commission, chaired by Baroness Louise Casey, will begin work in April but is not due to publish its final report until 2028. Yes another independant commission. How many is this now? We're still no closer to finding a sustainable and workable solution to ensuring Social Care is both accessible and affordable. 2028 is far to long to wait when the sector is on its knees and the NHS which depends on the Social Care sector to survive is not far behind.
I'd like to say I'm surpised, but I'm not. The Prime Minister has often stated that any meaningful changes to Social Care provision would not come until a second term of a Labour Government. so 2028 being at the end of this current parliament is in line with those statements.
Trying to be positive (my resolution for 2025 - I doubt it will last), Baroness Casey, who will be heading up the commission does have a good track record of chairing commissions and has a reputation for being sensible. The commission is due to make preliminary recommendations on medium term solutions in 2026 with the long term recommendations at its conclusion in 2028.
Unfortunately, we do not know what the political landscape will look like in 2029. There's a very real likelihood that political colours could change and yet another report, like Dilnott will end up sitting on a shelf while the new government announces 'exciting new plans to sort our Social Care once and for all' ( I said I was trying to be positive - nothing about keeping my cynicism under wraps), and so the merry-go-round continues.
If the government is serious about 'grasping the nettle' surely it can move up the timetable? Those that deliver Social Care at least deserve that.
Keiron Broadbent
Chief Executive Officer
West Midlands Care Association
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