AS we head into this general election it is interesting to see that the two main parties seem to be avoiding discussing social care.

There is an ongoing crises in our healthcare system at the moment and we need to know what our political leaders intend to do to address it.

Many of the capacity issues within the NHS could be resolved with a properly resourced social care system and more importantly the hundreds of people who are stuck in hospital waiting for social care support to go home would have a better experience and better outcomes too.

According to a Local Government Information Unit survey, half of councils in England (and some in Scotland) believe they are likely to apply for s.114 status (‘Bankruptcy’) in the next five years.

With that will go a significant amount of current adult and children social care funding. In short the system is broken, and local people are being failed as a result of lack of leadership by national government and clear strategy.

We all have the opportunity to ask the people who want It would be even better if people proactively contacted the local candidates and asked what their plans are, and ensure they realise that social care is a priority us to vote for them in the upcoming election what they intend to do about it and I hope you will take that opportunity when the candidates, or their representatives, come knocking on your door.

It would be even better if people proactively contacted the local candidates and asked what their plans are, and ensure they realise that social care is a priority. It’s clear that, far from further cuts, big increases are necessary.

ALSO READ:

What are your thoughts?

You can send a letter to the editor to have your say by clicking here.

Letters should not exceed 250 words and local issues take precedence.

The Health Foundation has identified that we need, just for Adult Social Care, between a 3.4 per cent and 6 per cent increase above inflation, or between £8.3 billion and £18.4 billion, depending on how far we want to meet future demand and improve access.

EUAN MCPHERSON

CHIEF EXECUTIVE, SERVICES FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING