Health and Social Care Reform

UK Needs AI Taskforce to Reform Health and Social Care, Says Expert

Ben Maruthappu, founder of Cera, urges the UK government to establish an AI taskforce to reform health and social care. He emphasises that without swift action, the sectors risk falling behind, especially with the challenges posed by an ageing population. Maruthappu highlights that Cera, founded in 2016, already saves the NHS an estimated £1bn annually and stresses the need for AI to enhance workforce efficiency and healthcare research.

The recent shelving of a £1.3bn AI investment plan by the new Labour government could hinder the UK's progress in becoming a global tech leader. Maruthappu argues that AI can significantly boost productivity and address the £22bn deficit in health and social care. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology supports AI's role in improving public services and the economy, committing to maintaining funding for adult social care learning and development.

Mental Health Act Reform

Social Care Leaders Offer Expertise to Shape Government Policy 

Social care practice leaders, including AMHP Leads, PSW Network, and OT heads, have formed the Social Care Professional Leads Collective. They have reached out to health and social care secretary Wes Streeting and care minister Stephen Kinnock, offering their expertise to help Labour achieve its social care and mental health objectives. The collective aims to influence Mental Health Act reform and advocate for investment in social care to prevent healthcare needs.

The collective's intervention follows Labour's decision to scrap previous social care initiatives, including the cap on care costs and increased funding for staff training, due to financial constraints. The networks seek to promote innovation, improve service quality, and champion professional development for social care practitioners.

Care Home Closures

Derbyshire MPs Demand Urgent Meeting on Care Home Closures 

Derbyshire MPs have criticised the consultation on closing 11 council-run care homes, calling it "seriously flawed." They urged a meeting with Derbyshire County Council leader Barry Lewis to discuss alternatives, emphasising the "devastating impact" closures would have on residents. The consultation ends on August 7.

North East Derbyshire MP Louise Jones highlights concerns about The Grange in Eckington, stressing the need for a health impact assessment for residents. She calls for a meeting with the council's leadership to explore proper alternatives, noting that current responses lack agreement on this issue. The council aims to improve dementia services, citing a decline in demand for traditional residential homes.

New Approach to Social Care

Labour Scraps Care Cost Cap: Future Uncertain for Social Care Reform 

Labour has abandoned the cap on social care costs, a policy it never fully supported. The decision, driven by a £22 billion financial shortfall, leaves the government without a clear plan to address the widening gap between the need for support and the availability of publicly funded care. The current means-tested system in England is inequitable, unlike the NHS, and fails to provide adequate support for many.

The abandoned plans would have made the means test more generous and set a cap on lifetime care costs. Without these reforms, the government must urgently decide on a new approach to ensure more people can access free or subsidised care. A cross-party royal commission has been suggested, but its recommendations may take years, leaving families in continued uncertainty.

Social Care Budget Crisis

£1bn Shortfall in Home Care Fees Threatens Sector Stability, Report Finds 

Research by the Homecare Association reveals a £1bn shortfall in home care fees in England, necessary to cover the minimum wage and other costs. Councils' average fee rates are over £5 per hour below the required amount, with only 1% of contracts meeting the minimum price for sustainable care.

The report highlights significant gaps across the UK: England (£5.32), Scotland (£6.79), Wales (£5.92), and Northern Ireland (£9.36). The association calls for urgent government action to increase funding and mandate fair fee rates to prevent destabilising the home care sector and compromising care quality.

The Labour government plans to legislate for a fair pay agreement for care staff but has yet to allocate resources. The Homecare Association stresses the need for outcome-based commissioning and better market management to ensure adequate provider numbers.

Challenges in Social Care Assessments

Long Waits for Social Care Assessments in West England 

At least 700 vulnerable adults in the West of England have waited over six months for a Care Act assessment, with significant variations among local authorities. Dorset Council had 246 people waiting, while Wiltshire Council had only two. Bristol City Council, serving a larger population, had 263 waiting.

Age UK Somerset reported average waits of three months, with some individuals waiting up to ten months. The Nuffield Trust emphasised the need to expand the workforce to address the backlog. The government plans to create a National Care Service and introduce a Fair Pay Agreement for care workers to ensure consistent care across the country.