Government Green Paper on Social Care;
‘Shaping the Future of Care Together'
On July 14th the Government launched a Green Paper ‘Shaping the Future of Care Together’. This paper forms part of the proposed social care reform and the proposal to create a National Care Service that is "
fair, accessible and affordable".
A public consultation is being carried out about the proposals until November 2009. There is a website devoted to ‘The Big Care Debate’ where you can find a copy of the Green Paper in various formats.
Diabetes UK welcomes the Government's commitment to reform, to create a National Care Service that will end the current postcode lottery of care services. However, Government must ensure that the funding of any new service does not deny those with additional care needs to the non-means tested financial support to which they are entitled.
Effects to benefits
The Green Paper has raised questions about certain benefits being reviewed as part of the future funding. Although Attendance Allowance is mentioned in the paper, it is unconfirmed at this stage whether other benefits such as Disability Living Allowance will be included.
Diabetes UK is concerned that rationalisation of the benefits system of the future could negatively impact on the lives of people who require additional care support to meet any disability needs resulting from their diabetes and their resultant entitlement to claim.
Diabetes can lead to disabling complications such as cardiovascular disease, blindness, amputations and renal disease which for many will require additional financial support to better manage their condition, alongside the multiple care needs and complications.
People awarded Attendance Allowance or Disability Living Allowance due to disability or additional care needs, who also have diabetes, should continue to receive the support they need and are entitled to. These non-means tested benefits are based on a person’s mobility and care needs.
Any policy implications that may deny access to care and support that could have a detrimental effect on their lives will be considered seriously in our response to the consultation.
If you also feel strongly about this, we encourage you to give comment directly to the consultation and participate in stakeholder events. Let the Government know your views on the Green Paper by either; emailing careandsupport@dh.gsi.gov.uk or through the website www.careandsupport.direct.gov.uk
Diabetes UK also welcomes your comments directly as your feedback will help inform a response as part of the consultation process. Please email info@diabetes.org.uk