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PM needs to deliver not dither on social care reform

8 May 2012

In a damning letter to the Prime Minister in the Daily Mail this morning, we and 84 other charities and organisations demanded he show leadership on social care.

The Prime Minister needs to deliver not dither on social care reform - for people living with Parkinson's now and for future generations to come

Steve Ford, our chief executive

We urged David Cameron to make reform of the care system in England his personal mission.

Social care - a sorry tale

We know many people with Parkinson's have to sell their homes to meet the huge costs of residential care.

Many also find that more councils are increasing charges for services that should help people stay in their own homes, such as meals on wheels.

We also know many people struggle on alone, as they are told that they aren't in enough need to qualify for help from social services. 

We want the Government to do something about social care now but so far it's been a sorry tale of dither and delay.

Meanwhile, millions of people across the UK continue to face the uncertainty of whether or not they can afford care as they grow older.

Vision and courage

Today's letter was printed in the Daily Mail addressed to David Cameron, co-signed by our chief executive Steve Ford. Part of the letter says:

"Whilst we know decisions, particularly, on the funding of care, will be difficult, they must be made now.

"We want disabled and older people and their families to be able to live without fear of what tomorrow might bring. We are asking you as Prime Minister to show vision and courage to make this a reality."

Ramping up the pressure on the Prime Minister

Help us put pressure on the Prime Minister to make care reform his mission.

Steve commented this morning:

"So many people affected by Parkinson's tell us about their worries for the future. But it's not just their health. They also worry about how they will be able to get the care they need and how they and their families will fund it.

"The Prime Minister needs to deliver not dither on social care reform - for people living with Parkinson's now and for future generations to come."

As part of a coalition of charities called the Care and Support Alliance, we're ramping up the pressure on the Prime Minister.

You can join in too. Help us put pressure on the Prime Minister to make care reform his mission.   

How you can help

If you're on Twitter, call for urgent action on the care crisis by tweeting the PM at @Number10gov with the message #CareCantWait.

Or you can use our simple form to ask your MP to put the pressure on PM for urgent social care reform.