Local Government Association writes to PM on reforms to elderly services

A letter from the Local Government Association, (which speaks for almost 400 councils in England and Wales) has been sent to the three main party leaders about reforms to elderly services. The letter was signed by the chairman of the Local Government Association, Sir Merrick Cockell, on behalf of all the political groups at the LGA. This was the version sent to the Prime Minister.

Senior LGA members and the President of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) have recently discussed the case for change in our adult social care system and the viability of different solutions.

We agreed that not only is the need for reform urgent, but that the issue of funding must be addressed within the Government’s forthcoming white paper. We unanimously agreed that the proposals set out by Andrew Dilnot’s Commission on Funding of Care and Support offer the only real solution to securing sustainable funding for care. We therefore urge the Government to adopt the capped-cost model and work with local government to ensure its successful implementation.

In its May 2010 Programme for Government the Coalition stated that: “we understand the urgency of reforming the social care system”. Now, nearly two years on, it is time to act. For us real action means moving beyond commitments on, for example, personalisation and partnership working – agendas on which there is already universal agreement – and being bold on the issue that binds everything together: how we fund care in the future. To date we’ve not had anything that helps move us toward these goals but we believe that’s what Dilnot, in the context of wider elements to reform, achieves.

Your acknowledgement at the Dementia 2012 conference that social care is “one of the biggest things we’ve got to get right in our public services” is certainly encouraging, as is the recognition that “on the financial point, we know there are huge challenges”. With support for reform at the very top of Government we cannot afford any further delays. Only with cross party working and agreement will we be able to avoid further short term tinkering and ensure delivery of the radical reform which is required.

We are clear that any such loss of momentum on exactly how care is funded is dangerous on three fronts. First it will exacerbate the problems of an already over-stretched care system. Second, and as a consequence, it will increasingly limit the availability of valuable local discretionary services as resources are drawn away to plug the gap in care funding. And third it will fundamentally threaten the broad consensus that has built up around the Dilnot proposals from all quarters. The potential damage caused by any one of these dangers, let alone all three, could set the care reform debate back years.

We need a solution which includes fair funding and gives individuals’ peace of mind; but that also takes account of the Law Commission report and makes the system simpler. Alongside this we need a greater integration – with pooled budgets and single commissioning – which will make the system more efficient, providing further benefits for the individual. Only by looking at the whole picture and bringing all these strands together will we be able to reform the system to secure the transparency and stability that is so desperately needed.

We recognise that Dilnot comes with a price tag which, in the current economic climate, is challenging. But across the political spectrum at the LGA we believe it is a cost worth paying. That is why we are working on an offer to the Government that will set out what local government can do to make Dilnot affordable, workable and well understood by those who would determine its success at a local level. When our offer is ready we would very much welcome the opportunity to discuss it with you.

For too long we have toyed with adult social care reform and failure to act now may be the failure that tips the system over. Nobody – whether from central or local government, providers, the third sector or the public – wants that to happen so it is incumbent upon us all to bring about real change. This absolutely must include funding and we urge the government to be courageous and join local government in backing the solution proposed by Dilnot.

With thanks to the LGA for permission to print the letter: http://www.local.gov.uk/web/guest/mediacentre/-/journal_content/56/10161/3621669/ARTICLE-TEMPLATE

Please see Sue Learner's article for carehome.co.uk on the LGA letter and comment from Liz Kendall MP Labour's Shadow Minister for Care and Older People and Mark Ellerby, managing director of Bupa Care Services: http://www.carehome.co.uk/news/article.cfm/id/1556860/local-councils-call-for-radical-reform-of-elderly-and-disabled-care

Photo: Sir Merrick Cockell, chairman of the Local Government Association