Crunch time for care

Social care reform has seen plenty of false dawns, but in the coming weeks could we see some agreement on a way forward for our crumbling care system in England?

This week Age UK reported that 800,000 people who need care are now not getting the correct levels of support - and this could rise to 1 million within 4 years. Elsewhere it's reported that spending on social care is still shrinking despite our ageing society.

Councils across the UK will be closely monitoring the situation in Birmingham, where the council was forced into a retreat over proposals to only provide care to those in the direst need.

These examples demonstrate the failings of a system which is desperately underfunded and unfair. It's unfair that people might be eligible for care in one area, but not another. And it's unfair on those who are forced to pay for all their care needs, despite having at best only modest savings.

We've told the Commission on Funding of Care and Support - which is due to publish its recommendations on the future of social care funding in the next few weeks - what people with Parkinson's want and need from the care system.

Those in power have heard loud and clear of the desperate need for greater funding. They have heard that people want national standards, not a lottery, and that they want closer working between health and social care.

Change will mean more than recommendations - it will need new laws and political will.

Do you think that politicians will put aside politics to change our social care system for the better? Share your views here or get in touch with our Campaigns team at campaigns@parkinsons.org.uk