ADASS response to Hewitt Review of Integrated Care System

A key focus of the Hewitt Review is the importance of helping people stay healthier for longer at home, preventing the need for emergency hospital treatment. ADASS underlines that this can only be achieved by a Government commitment to providing a good quality social care system working in parallel with the NHS.   

Sarah McClinton, President of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services said:

“The Hewitt review is spot on, the current sticking-plaster response to health and care crises isn’t working. We need to shift public funds into preventing ill-health on a big scale. That will mean people can get great quality care and support in their communities when they need it before their health deteriorates and they need expensive acute care.

“But you won’t be able to do that without a long-term, fully funded plan to fix adult social care. For decades Government’s have ducked that challenge, and the road has run out now. We need to fix adult social care to ensure our families and friends get the care and support they need in the future. As the Hewitt Review points out, that must include a national workforce strategy to sort the staffing crisis in social care, complementing the one the Government is developing for the NHS.

“And Patricia Hewitt’s prescription of fewer national targets is right. The new local health and care partnerships the Government have set up could transform care for people in their areas, but only if they’re given the freedom to respond to the needs and wishes of the people they serve. Social care, public health and the voluntary sector need to be equal partners at the heart of decision-making which needs to happen closer to communities. People need to be in control of their own care. What we need from the Government is the sustainable funding and backing to improve care and solve the current crises in the NHS and adult social care.”