Responding to an announcement on the launch of a social care commission and actions to tackle short-term issues in social care, the director of communications at NHS Providers, Adam Brimelow, said:

"For far too long, successive governments have dodged difficult decisions on social care reform. The knock-on effects of this inaction are plain to see.

"NHS trust leaders will hope that today’s announcement finally kickstarts the long overdue process of reform and sets out real action to address the many deep-rooted challenges this vital sector faces, including chronic under-funding and major staffing shortages.

"A strong and sustainable social care sector is vital for the NHS so that both services can deliver high quality care for all those who need it.

"It is welcome then, that in addition to proposals for long-term reform, today’s announcement also sets out a series of measures which seek to ease immediate pressures on vital health and social care services while also supporting patients, disabled people and elderly people to stay well and independent."