England's adult social care system is set for a comprehensive public review, with a commission led by Baroness Louise Casey seeking input on how care should be funded and who is responsible for providing it. Baroness Casey described the current system as "impossible" to navigate and called for a "reckoning" regarding how individuals are cared for.
Recent government plans to cap lifetime care costs were scrapped, leading to this broader review of funding. The public consultation, beginning this month, will specifically engage with older individuals who are "too often ignored or overlooked," as well as younger generations who may feel disengaged from state support. Baroness Casey stated that hundreds of thousands of people will be consulted to understand public perspectives on adult social care, including expectations for personal contributions and family roles.
The review will also explore the role of the National Health Service (NHS) in social care moving forward. Baroness Casey noted that the NHS has increasingly focused on medical services within hospitals, leaving other care responsibilities less defined. She emphasized that expecting families alone to care for aging or ill relatives is "simply not sustainable."
While specific proposals are yet to be detailed, Baroness Casey indicated that "everything is on the table," including the possibility of a publicly funded "National Care Service" akin to proposals from figures like Andy Burnham. She expressed her belief that a unified "National Health and Care Service" is needed, as the public often does not distinguish between the two. The commission, which commenced its work last summer, is examining the challenges within England's care system and aims to present a report this year with a plan for a National Care Service. A subsequent phase focusing on long-term funding solutions is scheduled for 2028.