RCN Calls For Government To Reform Social Care Lottery

Nurses have condemned the ‘postcode lottery’ of the adult social care system and the RCN has called for the government to ensure services are applied consistently across the country.

In a response to the government’s consultation on the future of social care, the RCN (Royal College of Nursing) said the existing system was a ‘patchwork’, and was confusing and outdated.

There are no clear rules about which services should be provided and patients can often become trapped between the health and social care systems, the RCN added.

In its submission to the document ‘The Case for Change – Why England Needs a New Care and Support System’, the RCN also added that individual budgets are not always right for every person and that patients should have a choice about how their care is funded.

The RCN also called for better-funded community services focusing on preventing unplanned emergency admissions to hospital caused by events such as falls.

In conclusion, the submission said: ‘The RCN believes that a reformed social care system in itself will not guarantee success. The importance of effective relationships and communication systems within care teams and between organisations will be a critical factor in delivering a care and support that is fit for purpose.’