Sep
9
Fixing adult social care
Author: Chloe Smith, Updated: 09 September 2020 09:50
I was pleased to see Age UK’s campaign on fixing adult social care, as it’s an incredibly important matter.
I work closely with Age UK Norwich, including having reached out to their local members to understand how the lockdown was affecting older people in our city.
I appreciate how hard carers have worked during the coronavirus pandemic in order to keep the virus under control and to keep people safe.
The Government has already set out various plans in place to support care, such as the Adult Social Care Plan which shows how the Government is working with care homes in response to coronavirus, as well as providing additional funding for them. This includes £3.7 billion to ease pressures on adult social care, £1.3 billion to enhance discharge procedures and a further £600 million for infection control.
It is crucial for us to consider ways of better joining up health and care services. I am encouraged by the use of the Better Care Fund to assist local government and the NHS with the implementation of integrated health and care services.
But there’s more to do and it’s one of the big questions of our times. I have therefore written to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on behalf of my constituents, in order to get an update on the Government’s future plan in supporting the health and social care sector.
I'll keep on this issue in Parliament. It is important that the elderly and the most vulnerable in society can continue to gain the support they need.
Chloe Smith