NHS Confederation responds to the ADASS spring survey

Responding to the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) spring survey of social care leaders, Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation said:

“The findings in the report show how social care teams make a massive difference in supporting our communities, provided the right funding from the government is in place. At the same time the report reinforces the problematic ad-hoc and short term approach the government have taken, particularly with regards to investment in social care.  

"The increase of demand for care means that there needs to be a focus on consistent, long-term funding in all areas of social care as well as investment in primary and community health services which, in turn, would support all social care services. By having appropriate backing, people can get the right support from their local social care services and continue their recovery in the comfort of their own homes. Better social care goes hand in hand with a functioning NHS and helps keep people out of hospital.

“The underlying issue is staffing and with gaping vacancies in social care, the government must listen to the suggestions in the report and unlock the £600 million funding so that teams have the right workforce in place. NHS leaders will know that without a significant boost to the social care workforce, the government’s investment in measures to improve hospital discharge and keep patients healthy and out of hospital will be hindered.”