A guide to Care

Last week the Adult Care and Health Policy Panel, which I chair, made what I hope was a useful contribution to the debate about how Suffolk County Council responds to the current Government consultation on the issue of how we pay for care, whether at home or in a care home.

The consultation relates to the Care Bill that is currently going through Parliament, and particularly concerns new measures that are to be introduced to ensure that no-one has to sell their home during their lifetime to pay care costs.

The issues are very complex, and the proposals could increase the bureaucratic burden on Local Authorities significantly at a time when their finances are already under extreme pressure.  The burden of our song therefore was that the government should ensure that implementation of the bill is as simple as possible, allowing us to work in partnership with others, and ensuring that those needing care and their families have the information to help themselves as far as possible.

I am pleased to say that the Council accepted the recommendations of the officers, which the Policy Panel had helped to shape, and passed them without a division.

The implementation of the Care Bill is something for the future of course.  However, if you, or someone you know, is currently trying to navigate the minefield that is the world of long and short term care, I notice that the Telegraph has recently produced a guide that aims to help you.   You can download the information here.