Much-needed investment in social care would be welcomed but we urgently need to see long term solutions

26 April 2019

Responding to the Labour Party’s announcement on investment in social care packages, the director of policy and strategy at NHS Providers, Miriam Deakin said:

“We need an urgent focus on securing a sustainable and fair social care system to meet the needs of the future.

“The NHS and social care are two sides of the same coin. Pressures on social care support following funding cuts are making it more difficult to support vulnerable or older people to live independently and closer to home, often contributing to a rise in admissions and long stays in hospital.

The NHS and social care are two sides of the same coin. Pressures on social care support following funding cuts are making it more difficult to support vulnerable or older people to live independently and closer to home, often contributing to a rise in admissions and long stays in hospital.

Miriam Deakin    Director of Policy and Strategy

“We would welcome any much-needed investment in additional social care packages and support for social care staff and carers. But we need long term solutions as well.

“NHS Providers is one of 15 health organisations in the Health for Care coalition which is led by the NHS Confederation, and calling for urgent action to address the social care crisis. The forthcoming social green paper must be an opportunity for meaningful debate about how we fund and deliver support for vulnerable people.”

Read our letter to the prime minister on behalf of the Heath for Care coalition, co-signed by NHS Providers chief executive Chris Hopson. 

Read more about the Health for Care coalition, its members and the principles for a future social care system.