Laura Sharman 01 July 2015

Hunt calls for new social contract in health

The public should be encouraged to take more responsibility for their own health and looking after elderly relatives, according to health secretary Jeremy Hunt.

Speaking at the LGA annual conference, Mr Hunt is calling for a new social contract between the public and health and care services so that personal responsibility sits alongside system accountability.

‘The best person to prevent a long term condition developing is not the doctor – it's you. Which is why last year, following changes to the GP contract, the number of GPs offering their patients online access to a summary of their medical record has risen from 3% to 97%,’ he said.

‘This needs to be the start of a much bigger change where everyone feels firmly in the driving seat for their own health outcomes, and it’s an area where the NHS and local government can work together.’

He also announced the Government is to develop a new Carers’ Strategy to support new and existing careers. He said: ‘By looking at best practice from around UK and the world, it will seek to answer the big question: what do we need to do as a society to support people who are caring now, and crucially, for the millions who will have a caring role in the future?’

Mr Hunt also used his speech to highlight the number of elderly people living alone, pointing to LGA research that showed 2,900 council funded funerals took place in 2011 in England.

On the issue of health and social care integration, he announced that the Government was launching a set of unified metrics to see how integration is working across the country. Published quarterly, the first set of metrics will be published in December.

The £37,000 SEND Problem image

The £37,000 SEND Problem

Natalie Kenneison, COO at Imosphere, argues that the real SEND funding crisis isn’t just about budgets - it’s about the systems behind the decisions.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Housing Assurance Service Manager

Kirklees Metropolitan Council
£55,675 - £56,649
We’re building a brand-new assurance team in our Homes & Neighbourhoods service Kirklees, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Kirklees Metropolitan Council

Trainee Public Health Practitioner

Kirklees Metropolitan Council
£24,404 - £24,790
Working within the Kirklees Public Health Improvement team Kirklees, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Kirklees Metropolitan Council

Climate Change Officer

Kirklees Metropolitan Council
£40,476 - £42,708
Are you a passionate and enthusiastic Climate Change Officer Kirklees, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Kirklees Metropolitan Council

Transition Home Manager

Durham County Council
Grade 13 £45,718 - £49,764 (Pay Award Pending)
Could you support young people to realise their individual potential and prepare them for their journey towards independence. NOT JUST A PLACE OF WOR Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

SEND and Inclusion Senior Specialist Support Worker (Communication and Interaction Team)

Durham County Council
Grade 8 £31,586 - £35,235 (Pay Award Pending)
We are recruiting a SEND & Inclusion Senior Specialist Support Worker to join our Specialist SEND & Inclusion Team. We would be particularly intereste Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner