12.07.12
Cap for social care could rise to £75,000
Although the Government has accepted the Dilnot report’s social care reform proposals “in principle”, other funding ideas will have to be considered, health secretary Andrew Lansley announced yesterday.
This includes a higher cap on the amount people have to pay for their own care, from £35,000 to a potential £75,000. Asking people to ‘opt in’ is another suggestion, which would mean that those who did not pay an upfront fee could face unlimited costs for social care.
Reductions in spending on other areas, such as the universal benefits for elderly people including winter fuel payments, free TV licences and travel concessions, could also be used to fund reform.
Lansley stated that he could not yet fully commit to the recommended cap, and a final decision would be taken during the next spending review.
Commenting on the Government’s proposals, chief executive of the NHS Confederation Mike Farrar said that “there is much to be applauded”, including the emphasis on dignity and the transfer of £300m from the NHS budget to social care.
However, he called for greater urgency on the decision of how to fund social care: “We urgently need a firm, cohesive plan about how funding for social care will work in the future. It is absolutely essential that the Government makes clear the financial implications a cap on care costs could have for people who choose to opt in to any future funding programme.
“We need to take action on this issue now. The longer we wait the worse the problem will grow.”
Sir Stephen Bubb, chief executive of the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations, added: “What they [government] don’t realise is the huge cost to the health service which is mounting by refusing to take action on social care.”
Lansley said: “Our plans will bring the most comprehensive overhaul of social care since 1948 and will mean that people get the care and support that they need to be safe and to live well so they don't reach a crisis point.”
But shadow health secretary Andy Burnham responded: “With no answers on the money, this white paper fails the credibility test – it is half a plan. The proposals set out today are in danger of appearing meaningless and may in fact raise false hopes among older people, their carers and families.”
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