Social Care in the UK

In the UK's House of Commons, members of parliament debated the issue of social care. Not a new subject you might think but it means two things: 1. We, as a society need to think about helping to look after the disabled, sick and elderly. From care workers and care homes through to the brilliant unpaid carers, many of whom are older themselves. 2. We need to discuss how much this will cost. If you provide sufficient care - it can alleviate costs to local authorities, the NHS, the welfare system, housing. So why not think about it now rather than later? Politicians aren't doing this enough - and at their own peril. It isn't a glamorous subject which gives them big fanfare and media coverage. But it is real and it is here. And it needs to be debated and openly discussed. Write to your local politicians... Members of Parliament, councillors, mayors, lord mayors. Get them involved in the debate. Engage with your local Clinical Commissioning Groups in the NHS. They are the medical professionals who CHOOSE what to spend their budgets on and PAY FOR them in your area. They may be GPs or managers - it does not matter which. They make the decisions. What it ensures is that they make sure they listen to those of us who need certain things. In this case, social care for adults and children who need it. We are talking basic things like washing/bathing, toileting, changing clothes and medication if need be. Basic human elements which people should be able to have assistance with as a matter of good quality of life. There may be charities doing social care on their behalf too. A lot of these services are now paid for by individuals and sometimes local authorities. A proper strategy needs to come into place but certain policy makers have to push their heads above the parapet and take the risk. The risk of doing something profound. If you have a little time, write, email, engage in social media and try to get the debate going as well as moving. The sooner we all engage in this, the better it is for people now and in the future.