We give a cautious welcome to today’s announcement that the Government seeks to achieve the integration of health and social care. (NHS shake-up ‘to cut bureaucracy and improve care’ – BBC News)
Like so many, we have long anticipated a Health and Care White Paper (postponed by successive Governments). In the period ahead, we will analyse and respond to how the proposed changes might improve the experience of accessing health and social care services for families of children and adults who have Down’s syndrome.
This announcement is timely. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted failings in the current system. The arbitrary divide between what is a health or a social care need hampers how families are supported.
This is no easy ambition. It is well recognised that an adequate funding solution for adult social care is long overdue. Any changes need to be well thought through and sustainable.
In January 2019 we sent a letter to MPs about the concerns that were raised by the findings of our It’s My Life survey. Headlines from this study, completed by hundreds of families we support included:
- 43% of carers said their adult child was in need of a Social Care Assessment
- 50% of carers said the assessment was not being reviewed annually
- 66% said they received no support for accessing employment
- 33% of carers are concerned about inadequate support for emotional and mental health issues
Having responded to the Government’s consultation on the NHS Long Term Plan in 2018, we hope that the proposals in the White Paper will bring health and care services closer together, improving care and tackling health inequalities.