The prime minister must ‘urgently’ begin a cross-party process to find a long-term solution to the current crisis in health and social care funding, according to organisations and experts from across the sector.
The call was made in an open letter signed by 75 organisations and leading voices from the care sector and it echoes the message sent last week by the chairs of three select committees.
The letter warned: ‘2017 simply cannot be another year where these huge issues are ducked’. It also said unless the PM takes ‘a bolder approach millions of older, ill and disabled people and their carers will continue to be badly let down.’
The open letter stated the process ‘should recognise that just as no one party should be blamed for the current challenges, nor can a genuinely long term solution be owned only by one party.’
The cross-party process should be inclusive, open and urgent, the letter said.
‘We have heard many times that there needs to be a long-term solution on health and social care, yet we have heard no details from Government as to what that solution may be,’ said Janet Morrison, chief executive of Independent Age.
‘The failure of successive governments to act on this issue means that many of the most vulnerable people in society cannot get the care and support they need.’
Ms Morrison noted that by 2030 there will be nearly 16 million people in the UK aged 65 and over.
‘Brave thinking is required from all sides of the political divide to meet the needs of our ageing population,’ she said.
‘We need to see recommendations that make a difference to the millions of people who rely on health and care services now and in the future.’
The publication of the letter has come as Norman Lamb MP, a former minister at the department for health and the Liberal Democrat spokesperson on health and social care, launches a group of MPs calling for a cross-party approach on health and social care funding.
‘The health and social care system in England is facing unprecedented challenges,’ he said.
‘Failing to find a solution to this crisis puts some of the most vulnerable people at risk – frail and elderly people in need of care services, disabled people who need support and people with long-term illnesses.
‘Building a sustainable health and care system that can provide the kind of high-quality care people expect can’t be realised without putting aside party political point-scoring.’
‘That is why I’m supporting this call by Independent Age and a coalition of organisations across the health and care sector and I’m launching a cross-party group of MPs that will campaign specifically for agreement on health and social care funding,’ he added.
The chief executive of Birmingham City Council told The MJ powers should be devolved to ‘beefed up’ health and wellbeing boards to bolster and consolidate leadership and governance.
