02 October 2009

STILL TIME TO JOIN THE DEBATE ABOUT A NATIONAL CARE SERVICE

Stafford’s Labour MP David Kidney is keen to remind constituents that there is still time to take part in the consultation about a new National Care Service. The proposal has attracted a lot more interest because the Prime Minister referred to it in his Conference speech this week, but David Kidney reminds people that the debate has been ongoing for over 2 years already:

“When the 1945 reforming Labour Government set up the Welfare State, most people were expected to die within a short time of retiring from work. For the remainder, it was assumed that family members would care for their elderly relatives. Now that we see most people living much longer lives, our health and social care services face new, complex challenges.

“This is why Labour first published a discussion document on devising new care services for older people, those with disabilities and for carers. We then followed up on this debate with a Green Paper setting out our thinking on a National Care Service and how it might be paid for.

“Some local people might recall that I have organised a series of meetings to discuss these issues, including two debates at Staffordshire University and a number of public meetings with various community groups.

“The Government’s consultation is still live. It is possible for you to influence the outcome and to contribute to the design of the joined-up health and social care services that we need in order to address this very real demographic revolution that is taking place right now.”

For details of the current debate and consultation go to:
http://careandsupport.direct.gov.uk/

The Green Paper is called “Shaping the Future of Care Together” and the consultation runs until 13 November.