Care England, the largest representative body of independent adult social care providers, has welcomed the publication of the NHS White Paper as a step towards real integration between health and social care.

Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England, says:

“The publication of the NHS White Paper is an opportunity to recognise the interrelationship between health and social care and craft a long term vision for both sectors. Care England looks forward to working with the Government to develop this vision”.

The Government’s White Paper aims to modernise the legal framework to make the health and social care system fit for the future and put in place targeted improvements for the delivery of public health and social care. It will support local health and care systems to deliver higher-quality care to their communities, in a way that is less legally bureaucratic, more accountable and more joined up, by bringing together the NHS, local government and partners together to tackle the needs of their communities as a whole.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/blueprint-launched-for-nhs-and-social-care-reform-following-pandemic

Martin Green continues:

“The current situation where health and social care sit in distinct silos is not good for citizens, and is certainly not making the best of the resources available. We hope that these reforms will reshape the NHS and move us towards a system that is measured by the outcomes and which has a seamless interface between health and social care. Care England would therefore like to engage with the development and implementation of the White Paper. For, if anything, the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the need for the adult social care sector’s voice to be heard in the development of future health and care systems”.