Department of Health engaging on priorities for social care reform

On 15 September, the Department of Health launched Caring for our future: shared ambitions for care and support. Running until 2 December, this is a period of engagement with people who use care and support services, carers, local councils, care providers and the voluntary sector.

It will be followed up by a White paper in spring 2012, alongside a progress report on funding reform, with a view to legislating at the earliest opportunity.

 The Department of Health has identified six areas it believes contain the biggest potential to make improvements. These include the quality of care and support; ensuring personalisation; creating a responsive and vibrant care market; prevention and early intervention, and improving integration between the NHS and other care services.

 A website has been set up to enable people to respond with their comments. It contains discussion materials and a feedback form, so that people can hold their own discussions with their local communities on these crucial issues, and give their feedback to the Department.

Visit the website to have your say

SIA will also be responding to the consultation, so please let us know your views and we will incorporate them into our final response. You can let us know your opinions by e-mailing cfc@spinal.co.uk