04/01/2012

Labour Welcome Elderly Care Cooperation

The Labour Party has welcomed a decision by the coalition to include Labour in the upcoming proposals on reform of care for the elderly.

Responding to what he called "growing public concern" over adult social care, Andy Burnham, Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary, said he welcomed a decision by David Cameron and Nick Clegg to open cross-party talks with the Labour leader on the issue.

"This was a bold and constructive offer and we are pleased David Cameron and Nick Clegg have accepted," Mr Burnham said.

On Tuesday, an open letter to the government on the UK's care of the elderly has called for urgent and fundamental reform in the sector, as carers reached "breaking point".

The letter, from charities, faith groups and senior figures in the NHS said that while individuals in the UK were living longer, the unavoidable challenge was that there is an increasing number of people who need care. The group called for "bold" measures to be taken in the upcoming Dilnot consultation, which is looking into the UK's care provision.

"Labour will now play a full part in talks on the Dilnot proposals and we'll push for them to be implemented in full as a first step," Mr Burnham said.

He added: "Last week, Labour revealed that the cost of elderly home is now topping £7000 per year and how the brutal cut of £1.3bn in real terms to local authority social care budgets is meaning older people are having to stay longer in hospital. For cross-party talks to be a success, it will be imperative that David Cameron and Nick Clegg show personal leadership in this process too by getting around the table."

(DW)

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