Big Care Debate

In July 2009, the Government published a Green Paper, Shaping the future of care together, setting out its proposals for social care reform in England.

Between July and November 2009 the Government held a Big Care Debate about its proposals, which included establishing a National Care Service for England and abolishing Attendance Allowance to help fund social care.

Our response to the social care Green Paper (PDF, 117KB) was based on feedback from over 600 people affected by Parkinson's who completed our Big Care Questionnaire. 

Findings from our Big Care Questionnaire

Proposals to abolish Attendance Allowance

• 62% of respondents stated that Attendance Allowance should not be abolished under any circumstances.
• 5% would be happy for Attendance Allowance to be abolished and incorporated into the funding of a National Care Service.
• 7% would accept a reduction in Attendance Allowance if  their care needs were met by a National Care Service.
• 26% would support the abolition of Attendance Allowance if ALL their care costs were met by a National Care Service.

Extra costs of disability

63% of respondents identified specific extra living costs due to their disability, including:

• transport costs
• heating costs
• help with gardening
• extra laundry or cleaning costs
  

6 principles that underpin the Green Paper

There was strong support for the 6 principles that underpin the Green Paper.

• 93% supported a national assessment process.
• 91% supported joined up NHS and social care services.
• 93% supported information and advice for all.
• 97% per cent supported personalised care.
• 75% supported a focus on preventative services.
• 93% supported a fair system of funding.

National or local decision making

We asked whether people thought decisions about how much should be spent on care should be made locally, set by national government, or by an independent national body.

• 11% believed that decisions should be made by local government.
• 19% believed that decisions should be made by national government.
• 70% believed that decisions should be made by an independent national body.

How should social care be funded?

We asked people how they thought social care should be funded in the future.

• 57% favoured funding out of tax or National Insurance.
• 22% favoured the Comprehensive model.
• 13% preferred an insurance model.
• 9% favoured the Partnership model.

The Government's proposals

In its Green Paper, 'Shaping the Future of Care Together, the Government proposes establishing a National Care Service – an England-wide system for social care that would avoid the local inequalities that currently exist - backed up by better information about the support available.

These principles are very much in line with the reforms we are seeking in our Fair Care for Parkinson's campaign.

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