Prime Minister’s Office Praises Care Provider Group But No Words Of Hope Over Long-Term Reform
The Prime Minister’s office has praised the work of a North Yorkshire social care organisation but failed to offer any words of hope over long-term improvements for the sector.
Mike Padgham, Chair of the social care provider organisation, The Independent Care Group (ICG), has written to the Prime Minister inviting him to meet and urging him to act over the crisis in the care of older and vulnerable adults.Now Mr Padgham has had a reply from the Prime Minister’s office which praises social care and the ICG’s work.
It says: “The Government understands the importance of good social care and the impact it makes to the quality of the lives of those that depend upon it. The fantastic work undertaken by the Independent Care Group should be rightly recognised and praised. The Government fully understands your aims and, as part of the Prime Minister’s Plan for Change, shares your vision of the accessibility of social care for all those who require this vital service. Thank you for all you do in this most important of sectors, which is a true testament to the importance of civil society.”
Mr Padgham said: “It is heartening to receive a reply from the Prime Minister’s office and to hear some recognition of both social care in general and the work of the ICG in particular.
“It would have been nice if the Prime Minister had agreed to a meeting. I will keep trying as I think it is important that he hears first-hand the challenges facing social care at the moment and that we can discuss future reform and investment in social care. We will continue to keep up the pressure on the Government.”
“We know it has announced an independent commission into social care but in the meantime, we call on the Government to take immediate action, invest the minimum £2bn extra needed to tackle short-term issues, pay social care staff properly and in line with their NHS colleagues and get on with creating a National Care Service that brings NHS and social care together under one roof.”