Community Care Market News : News Stream Article.

News Stream Article

‘Fair, simple, affordable’ – DH publishes care vision
Community Care Market News - The postcode lottery for social care support is set to become a thing of the past, according to a new vision of long term care funding outlined by the government today (14 July) in its long awaited Green Paper, Shaping the future of care together.

Under a new era for social care funding the government has vowed to formulate a system which is fair, easy to understand and, above all, ‘universal’ – with new legislation which will underpin everyone’s right to access support mechanisms. However, with a consultation period lasting until mid-November, fears remain that decisions won’t come fast enough to avoid yet another bounce down the political agenda with the approach of a general election next year.

Putting forward the case for a new National Care Service which will operate in partnership with the NHS in order to tackle the demographic strains heading the way of the existing care system, the Department of Health (DH) has published what is essentially an options paper which will begin a four month consultation to formulate how best to fund care in the future.

Among a number of ideas discussed is a clear intent to end inequalities of eligibility thresholds for council-funded support around the country and a loud message that people should not be expected to sell their homes in order to cover the costs of care.

In the paper health Secretary Andy Burnham sets out three new models for funding adult social care each of which will provide ‘some funding’ for everyone who qualifies following a national assessment.

The three models outlined are:

Partnership – people will be supported by the government for around a quarter to a third of the cost of their care and support, or more if they have low income.

Insurance – as well as providing a quarter to a third of people’s care and support, the government would also make it easier for people to take out insurance to cover their remaining costs.

Comprehensive – everyone gets care free when they need it in return for paying a contribution into a state insurance scheme, if they care afford it, whether or not they need care and support.

Indicative figures suggest that under the insurance route people will be expected to pay between £20,000 to £25,000 each in order to cover care costs which average £30,000 for people aged over 65 years old. If the ‘comprehensive’ option is taken this figure drops to between £17,000 and £20,000.

Some 36 stakeholder events will be held throughout the consultation period, with accompanying public consultation activities in town centres.

For full coverage of the Green Paper and a round up of industry opinions see the forthcoming July issue of Community Care Market News

Justin Merritt (14/07/2009)

Contact Justin Merritt on
justin@laingbuisson.co.uk
Tel: 020 7841 0049