LGA responds to NHS cash boost and says long-term solution is needed to address the adult social care “funding crisis”
In response to Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s recent announcement that the NHS will receive a cash boost of £1.8 billion and outlining which 20 hospitals will benefit from the additional funding, the Local Government Association (LGA) has said that a greater emphasis needs to be placed on a sustainable adult social care system.
The current adult social care system in the UK falls short in terms of funding and support, which places a huge amount of pressure on carers.
In a joint paper by researchers from the Health Foundation, the Institute for Fiscal Studies, The King’s Fund and the Nuffield Trust, it highlighted some of the key issues with the UK’s social care system.
According to the research, adult social care spending in the UK has fallen by almost 10 percent between 2009/10 and 2016/2017. Shockingly, the paper also notes that based on current spending, a UK funding gap of £18 billion will open up by 2030/31.
It outlines that without adequate funding for social care, attempts to improve the NHS will be hindered and that people will continue to fall through the cracks of a social care system that has many shortcomings.
Responding to the announcement of a £1.8 billion funding boost for the NHS, Cllr Ian Hudspeth, Chairman of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board, said: ”While is important that the NHS is adequately funded, it is clear that there cannot be a sustainable health service without a sustainable adult social care system.
”The Prime Minister has promised to bring forward proposals for a long-term solution to the adult social care funding crisis. It is vital that the Prime Minister plugs the £3.6 billion funding gap facing adult social care to keep services running. This is the best way to reduce pressure on the NHS and keep people out of hospital in the first place.
”Last year, we produced our own social care green paper outlining key recommendations on how this could be achieved. The Government should also take these forward as it produces its own proposals.
“Local government stands ready to work with the Government to make sure we have a social care system that ensures everyone gets the vital care and support they need.”
https://thiis.co.uk/lga-responds-to-nhs-cash-boost-and-says-long-term-solution-is-needed-to-address-the-adult-social-care-funding-crisis/https://thiis.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/carer-e1616148590603.jpghttps://thiis.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/carer-150x150.jpgGovernment & Local AuthoritiesNewsroomNHSadult social care,Boris Johnson,LGA,Local Government Association,NHS,NHS funding,Prime Minister,social care,social care funding crisis,social care systemIn response to Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s recent announcement that the NHS will receive a cash boost of £1.8 billion and outlining which 20 hospitals will benefit from the additional funding, the Local Government Association (LGA) has said that a greater emphasis needs to be placed on a sustainable...Sarah SarsbySarah Sarsbysarah@thiis.co.ukEditorTHIIS Magazine