Social care system 'not fit for purpose', say nine out of 10 MPs

Nine in 10 Members of Parliament do not believe the social care system is fit for purpose, a new poll suggests.

A survey of 101 English MPs found that only 10 per cent believe the current social care system is suitable for the UK’s ageing population.

The research, carried out by older people’s charity Independent Age, also showed just 13 per cent of Labour MPs and 35 per cent of Conservative MPs believe that social care services in their constituencies are fit for purpose.

“Confidence that the social care system can deal with the UK’s ageing population has virtually evaporated among parliamentarians,” said Janet Morrison, chief executive of Independent Age.

“The crisis in social care was front and centre in the election earlier this year, and it is clear from this poll that there is an overwhelming desire from politicians on all sides for the Government to work towards a cross-party consensus on a solution.

“The problems in social care are about more than simply finding new bits of money to pump into a system that isn’t fit for purpose. To meet current and future demand, we need to take a radically different approach, recognising the status quo has failed.

“The Government has promised a consultation on social care, but to work this must set out a long-term vision for health and care that has support from across the political divide. It must also lead to a lasting settlement that better integrates health and social care services and is sustainable over the years to come.”

Commenting on the poll, former health minister Norman Lamb, who is Liberal Democrat health spokesman and chairman of the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee, said: “The health and care system in England is creaking at the seams.

“An unprecedented number of older people need support in later life, but are finding high-quality care is hard to come by. Patients are suffering from longer waiting times in the NHS, while there is evidence that the rationing of treatment is becoming more commonplace.

“The Government simply cannot afford to put off finding solutions to these problems. Without lasting reform, the most vulnerable frail and elderly people are at real risk of falling through the gaps and not getting the support they expect – and deserve.

“While ministers have promised a green paper on the future of social care, this falls short of the fundamental review of the entire health and care system that we desperately need.

“That’s why I have been working with Independent Age and a coalition of healthcare organisations to urge the Government to work with MPs from all parties, experts from across the sector, and with older people and their families to help build a sustainable health and social care system that ensures everybody can get the treatment and support that they need.”

Separate research conducted by the Centre for the Modern Family – a think-tank created by life, pensions and investment company Scottish Widows – found that only 15 per cent of people are saving money on a monthly basis to pay for future care needs.

And a quarter said they have “no idea” how they would cover such care costs.

The poll of more than 2,000 British adults also found that many underestimate the cost of social care.

On average, UK adults estimate that residential care would cost £549 a week – when in reality it costs on average £866 for a place in a nursing home, the Centre said.

Meanwhile, another poll carried out by carehome.co.uk found that four in 10 care home residents do not receive regular visits from friends and family.

A total of 1,154 care home owners, managers and staff were asked to estimate the percentage of residents that do not receive regular visits, with 42 per cent being the average figure given.

PA