Menu
31/03/2010
Labour Launches Free Elderly Care
Labour had unveiled plans for a radical shake-up to NHS care for the old and disabled.
Health Secretary Andy Burnham laid out plans that would see a universal free care package for everyone in England.
It had been described as the biggest change to the welfare state since the creation of the NHS.
The National Care Service will be based on a principle of shared social insurance and will be funded by contributions from everyone, Mr Burnham said.
He said it will give peace of mind that savings and homes will be protected from the expensive care costs that arise from serious long term conditions, such as Alzheimer's or recovering from a stroke.
Mr Burnham said the plans do not replacing the millions of carers or families who look after each other.
"They are the underlying principle of the National Care Service and we will better support them.
"With an ever growing older population – there will be 1.7 million more people needing care in the next 20 years – we must radically overhaul the way care is paid for and provided."
He continued: "That’s why we know that the fairest way to help everyone who is affected by a serious disease, illness or disability is for us all to pay into a system so we get free care when we need it."
The cost of care is currently a lottery. No one has any way of knowing how much care and support they may need in the future.
The National Care Service will put an end to this unfair system.
Mr Burnham said it will build on the best of the current system through reforms that are already underway and deliver the Personal Care at Home Bill.
From 2014 extend the coverage of free care so that people will receive free care if they need to stay in residential care for more than two years.
A commission will be set-up to support consensus and advise the Government on the fairest and most sustainable way that people can make their contribution to a care system which is free when they need it.
A National Care Service Leadership Group of expert stakeholders will also advise Government on the implementation of the National Care Service.
For the first time nationally consistent eligibility criteria for social care will be enshrined in law, helping to remove the postcode lottery of care that exists now
(PR/BMcc)
Health Secretary Andy Burnham laid out plans that would see a universal free care package for everyone in England.
It had been described as the biggest change to the welfare state since the creation of the NHS.
The National Care Service will be based on a principle of shared social insurance and will be funded by contributions from everyone, Mr Burnham said.
He said it will give peace of mind that savings and homes will be protected from the expensive care costs that arise from serious long term conditions, such as Alzheimer's or recovering from a stroke.
Mr Burnham said the plans do not replacing the millions of carers or families who look after each other.
"They are the underlying principle of the National Care Service and we will better support them.
"With an ever growing older population – there will be 1.7 million more people needing care in the next 20 years – we must radically overhaul the way care is paid for and provided."
He continued: "That’s why we know that the fairest way to help everyone who is affected by a serious disease, illness or disability is for us all to pay into a system so we get free care when we need it."
The cost of care is currently a lottery. No one has any way of knowing how much care and support they may need in the future.
The National Care Service will put an end to this unfair system.
Mr Burnham said it will build on the best of the current system through reforms that are already underway and deliver the Personal Care at Home Bill.
From 2014 extend the coverage of free care so that people will receive free care if they need to stay in residential care for more than two years.
A commission will be set-up to support consensus and advise the Government on the fairest and most sustainable way that people can make their contribution to a care system which is free when they need it.
A National Care Service Leadership Group of expert stakeholders will also advise Government on the implementation of the National Care Service.
For the first time nationally consistent eligibility criteria for social care will be enshrined in law, helping to remove the postcode lottery of care that exists now
(PR/BMcc)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
30 May 2006
Guidance for care homes launched
A new guide has been published for care home managers, in order to help improve treatment and support for residents at the end of life.
Guidance for care homes launched
A new guide has been published for care home managers, in order to help improve treatment and support for residents at the end of life.
04 July 2011
Fairer Adult Social Care Funding Sought
Costs would be capped and the means-tested threshold increased under major changes to the funding of adult social care in England, recommended today by the Commission on Funding of Care and Support in its final report Fairer Care Funding.
Fairer Adult Social Care Funding Sought
Costs would be capped and the means-tested threshold increased under major changes to the funding of adult social care in England, recommended today by the Commission on Funding of Care and Support in its final report Fairer Care Funding.
19 July 2012
Coalition's Flagship Free School Scrapped
One of the coalition's flagship free schools has collapsed weeks before it was due to open, allegedly due to a lack of demand from parents.
Coalition's Flagship Free School Scrapped
One of the coalition's flagship free schools has collapsed weeks before it was due to open, allegedly due to a lack of demand from parents.
14 May 2015
£18m Funding For Health Research In Wales
A number of significant research projects into cancer, public health, primary and emergency care, as well as mental health are to benefit from an £18m by the Welsh Government, it has been announced.
£18m Funding For Health Research In Wales
A number of significant research projects into cancer, public health, primary and emergency care, as well as mental health are to benefit from an £18m by the Welsh Government, it has been announced.
01 April 2009
New Law To Strengthen Protection Of Vulnerable People
Some of the most vulnerable people in society will be better protected against abuse and poor care as a result of new legislation coming into force today. People who lack capacity in hospitals and care homes will now be protected by a new law nown as the 'Mental Capacity Act Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards'.
New Law To Strengthen Protection Of Vulnerable People
Some of the most vulnerable people in society will be better protected against abuse and poor care as a result of new legislation coming into force today. People who lack capacity in hospitals and care homes will now be protected by a new law nown as the 'Mental Capacity Act Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards'.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Clear start with a fairly widespread frost developing. Increasing cloud brings occasionally heavy rain overnight, preceded, especially over western hills, briefly by snow. Occasional southeasterly gales, severe near coasts, developing. Minimum temperature -2 °C.
