Care providers call on Boris Johnson to deliver ‘1948 moment’ to fix ‘desperate’ social care situation

Care home providers and health experts are calling on Boris Johnson to fix the “desperate” social care situation with reforms comparable to the founding of the NHS.

The Prime Minister (pictured) was told on Tuesday that the sector now needs “its 1948 moment” to establish a “long-term and sustainable future” in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Care England, a membership body for care providers, and the NHS Confederation, which represents health organisations, were among those to make the call in a letter to Mr Johnson.

He has pledged to unveil his long-awaited social care plan later this year, accepting that the Covid-19 crisis has “highlighted the difficulties” in the sector.

But the 26 signatories of the letter wrote: “Successive governments have promised social care reform, but have not delivered and now the situation is desperate.

“Social care needs its 1948 moment to establish a long-term and sustainable future, that will be to the benefit of all citizens and the economy.”

They noted that the sector is “on its knees” and “in desperate need of reform” after more than a year on the front line of the crisis.

They argued the current system leaves “many families struggling to survive” when one member needs social care, with thousands of people every year facing losing their home and family assets to fund care.

They called for Mr Johnson to set out his reforms in the Queen’s Speech, which is due to be held on May 11.

Last month, Mr Johnson told the Commons Health and Social Care Committee it is “highly likely” that social care will get a mention at the event.

The letter was also signed by Age UK, social care provider UKHCA, and carers UK, as well as Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey and members of the House of Lords.

Copyright (c) PA Media Ltd. 2021, All Rights Reserved. Picture (c) The UK Parliament / Jessica Taylor / PA.