Plans for National Care Service welcomed by councillor

The announcement marks a “significant step” toward reforming the UK’s social care system, City of York Council has said.

Promises of better investment in staff, closer integration with health services, and putting the needs of service users at the centre of change, has been met with strong support from Executive Member for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care, Cllr Lucy Steels-Walshaw.

Recommended reading:

She said: “Today’s announcement is really welcome.

“For too long, we’ve expected our care workers to do extraordinary things without giving them the recognition they deserve.

“That’s why these plans matter.”

“For too long, we’ve expected our care workers to do extraordinary things without giving them the recognition they deserve” (Image: Supplied)

It comes after the Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, announced that he had asked Baroness Louise Casey to focus on how the government could set up the National Care Service, and to bring forward her review of adult social care in England by a year, to 2027.

The PM announced cross-party talks with Kemi Badenoch and Sir Ed Davey on the issue, along with the unveiling of The Big Conversation on Care to ensure people across the country can feed in their views.

A statement from him read: “I just don’t accept that this problem is too big to solve.

“What we need is a new way of doing politics where we come together, face the challenge head on and build an integrated system that gives people security and dignity.

“That’s the commitment I am making to people across this country, and I will give it my all in trying.”

‘I hope every carer in York sees this as a sign that their work is valued’

Responding to the news, Cllr Walshaw paid tribute to the “skill, patience and compassion” of carers across York.

She said: “Whether you’re supporting someone at Glen Lodge or Marjorie Waite Court, helping people regain their independence through our reablement service, visiting people in their own homes or caring for a loved one yourself, what you do matters.”

Drawing on her experience in the charity sector, Cllr Walshaw described care work as “one of the most rewarding jobs there is.”

She said: “We won’t transform social care overnight, but today feels like a real step forward.

“More than anything, I hope every carer in York sees this as a sign that their work is valued, because it absolutely is.

“What you do matters.”