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Care system gets 'biggest shake-up in 60 years' Care system gets 'biggest shake-up in 60 years'
(about 1 month later)
Major changes to the care system in England are being introduced in what is being dubbed the biggest shake-up for 60 years.Major changes to the care system in England are being introduced in what is being dubbed the biggest shake-up for 60 years.
The Care Act 2014 includes rights for those receiving care and those who provide it to their loved ones.The Care Act 2014 includes rights for those receiving care and those who provide it to their loved ones.
It includes standards for access to services from care homes to help in the home for tasks such as washing and dressing.It includes standards for access to services from care homes to help in the home for tasks such as washing and dressing.
Meanwhile, NHS and care budgets are being merged in Scotland.Meanwhile, NHS and care budgets are being merged in Scotland.
The Public Bodies (Joint Working) Act has been described as the most substantial reform north of the border for a generation.The Public Bodies (Joint Working) Act has been described as the most substantial reform north of the border for a generation.
It effectively forces councils and the NHS to work together to provide more streamlined services.It effectively forces councils and the NHS to work together to provide more streamlined services.
That aim is also a major topic of debate in England in the election campaign with the Conservatives, Labour, Liberal Democrats, UKIP and Greens all having plans for greater integration.That aim is also a major topic of debate in England in the election campaign with the Conservatives, Labour, Liberal Democrats, UKIP and Greens all having plans for greater integration.
But the changes coming into force in England on Wednesday apply only to the care system for older people and younger adults with disabilities.But the changes coming into force in England on Wednesday apply only to the care system for older people and younger adults with disabilities.
Four major changes are being introduced:Four major changes are being introduced:
To help protect people's assets, a cap on care costs they have to pay for - set at £72,000 for the over-65s - will kick in from April next year. How the cap works for younger people has still to be finalised.To help protect people's assets, a cap on care costs they have to pay for - set at £72,000 for the over-65s - will kick in from April next year. How the cap works for younger people has still to be finalised.
Today's changes, however, still mark a major milestone in care services, which experts say have hardly changed since the current system was created along with the NHS after the Second World War.Today's changes, however, still mark a major milestone in care services, which experts say have hardly changed since the current system was created along with the NHS after the Second World War.
BBC Cost of Care project
The BBC has launched an online guide to the care system for the over-65s. The "care calculator" covers residential care and the support provided in people's own homes, for tasks such as washing and dressing.The BBC has launched an online guide to the care system for the over-65s. The "care calculator" covers residential care and the support provided in people's own homes, for tasks such as washing and dressing.
Users can submit their postcode and find out how much each service costs where they live in the UK.Users can submit their postcode and find out how much each service costs where they live in the UK.
There is also a dedicated BBC Cost of Care website, with news stories, analysis and video.There is also a dedicated BBC Cost of Care website, with news stories, analysis and video.
David Pearson, president of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services, said the changes were "probably the most significant development" since 1948.David Pearson, president of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services, said the changes were "probably the most significant development" since 1948.
But he said there were still issues to resolve on the underfunding of the system. Unlike the NHS, the care system budget has been cut in real terms this Parliament.But he said there were still issues to resolve on the underfunding of the system. Unlike the NHS, the care system budget has been cut in real terms this Parliament.
Izzi Seccombe, leader of Warwickshire council, who chairs the Local Government Association's Wellbeing Board, agreed with both points.Izzi Seccombe, leader of Warwickshire council, who chairs the Local Government Association's Wellbeing Board, agreed with both points.
"Councils simply cannot afford any more financial burdens when social care services are already chronically underfunded," she said."Councils simply cannot afford any more financial burdens when social care services are already chronically underfunded," she said.
Janet Morrison, of the charity Independent Age, said the Care Act had the "potential to revolutionise" services.Janet Morrison, of the charity Independent Age, said the Care Act had the "potential to revolutionise" services.
But she said: "With a rapidly ageing population, we need an honest debate during and after the election about the true costs of care."But she said: "With a rapidly ageing population, we need an honest debate during and after the election about the true costs of care."