UKHCA's general election call for change in social care
UKHCA has just published its manifesto urging political parties and candidates standing for election, to commit to ensuring almost one million older and disabled people can remain healthy and independent in their own homes, while also enabling family members to combine caring responsibilities with family life and employment.
The manifesto provides sound and achieveable commitments for the next government and UKHCA hopes that all the political parties will take them on board as polling day on 8 June draws closer (note 1).
The professional association calls on the next government to make the following commitments:
1. Ensure that people with care and support needs can remain independent at home.
2. Relieve pressure on the NHS by effective use of homecare.
3. Make it easier for people who are willing or able to fund their own care and support.
4. Stabilise the state-funded social care market.
5. Expand the workforce and increase recognition of homecare workers.
6. Ensure that the public are protected through consistent regulation.
7. Ensure a sufficient workforce following exit from the European Union.
Colin Angel, UKHCA Policy and Campaigns Director, said:
“Social care must feature prominently on the political agenda in the run up to the general election.
“We want our next government to respond effectively to the social care crisis to ensure that a stable homecare sector can relieve pressures on the NHS and meet people’s overwhelming preference to have their care needs supported at home, whether they are supported by the state or fund their own care.”
The full manifesto can be accessed at: www.ukhca.co.uk/manifesto
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Notes for Editors
1. UKHCA’s Manifesto 2017 is intended to inform parties, candidates and voters in the elections to the UK Parliament in June 2017. Social Care is a devolved matter relating to exit from the European Union, social care policy described in this manifesto largely relates to the provision of social care in England.
2. United Kingdom Homecare Association (UKHCA) is the professional association for more than 2,000 domiciliary care providers in Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
3. United Kingdom Homecare Association Ltd (UKHCA) is the professional association of home care providers from the independent, voluntary, not-for-profit and statutory sectors. UKHCA helps organisations that provide social care (also known as domiciliary care or homecare), which may include nursing services, to people in their own homes, promoting high standards of care and providing representation with national and regional policy-makers and regulators. The Association represents over two-thousand members across the United Kingdom, in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
4. Homecare encompasses provision of personal care, to people in their own homes. For many, homecare is the alternative of choice for people who would otherwise need to move into residential accommodation.
5. This manifesto is intended to inform parties, candidates and voters in the elections to the UK Parliament in June 2017. Social Care is a devolved matter relating to exit from the European Union, social care policy described in this manifesto largely relates to the provision of social care in England.
6. For further information please contact:
Colin Angel, Policy and Campaigns Director
United Kingdom Homecare Association Ltd
Sutton Business Centre, Restmor Way, Wallington, SM6 7AH
Telephone: 020 8661 8188
Mobile: 07920 788993
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.ukhca.co.uk
Registered in England, No. 3083104.
