Care providers voice white paper concerns

Care England has submitted evidence to a parliamentary committee inquiry into the government’s white paper on health and social care.

The Health and Social Care Select Committee’s inquiry will examine the proposals in the white paper, Integration and Innovation: Working Together to Improve Health and Social Care, and the extent to which the proposals will deliver integrated health and social care services throughout England.

It will also consider the extent to which the white paper delivers the necessary long-term plans for social care and the health and social care workforce; and the proposals to confer additional powers on health secretary.

In addition to its evidence, Care England has written to Matt Hancock outlining its concerns about how vital it is for the independent sector to be involved emphasising various points around data, regulation and integrated care systems.

Professor Martin Green, chief executive of Care England, said: ‘The white paper neglects many of the issues which are of prime concern to care providers hence we have more questions to posit.

‘For it to be as effective as possible, the adult social care sector’s development must be considered especially since the Covid-19 pandemic has illustrated just how vital independent sector support and care providers have been to society, the broader economy and the health system.

‘The white paper misses the opportunity to address adult social care’s financial sustainability, a point which we feel most strongly needs to be rectified and one which we want to work with the government on for it to fulfil its manifesto commitment to reform adult social care.

‘The development of the white paper, from now on, needs to be transparent in nature, so independent providers are clear about how decisions are being made.’

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