Demand better social care in England now
The Prime Minister wants to change social care in England. Have your say on what the future system looks like and call for urgent reform.
What is the plan for social care reform?
The Prime Minister has committed to fix social care, so that it supports people when they need it most. The government has promised the new system will focus on prevention, join up hospital and community services, and be sustainably funded.
What does it mean for me?
This reform announcement is a start, but the government must:
- make sure care workers receive Parkinson’s-specific training, so they can properly care for people living with the condition. This includes training on time-critical medication, so that every person living with the condition gets their medication on time, every time.
- provide better support for family members or friends who care for their loved one every day.
And with a new dementia tsar starting this summer, we want to see better care for people with Parkinson’s-related dementia.
How can I use my voice for urgent reform?
Baroness Louise Casey is running an independent review into adult social care. As part of this, she has launched the Big Conversation on Care. It's a chance for you to share what you need from our social care system.
We need your voice. Tell the government what fair funding and care looks like for you, so the reforms work for people with Parkinson's, family, friends and carers.
The government must act with urgency
Caroline Rassell, Chief Executive of Parkinson’s UK, said:
"The Prime Minister is right: social care has been kicked down the road for far too long, and people with Parkinson’s and their families are paying the price every single day.
"Cross-party dialogue on social care is a welcome step forward, one we’ve called for for years, but talk and ambitions alone will not fix a broken system. Consensus in Westminster must translate into urgent relief on the ground.
“Right now, thousands of people living with Parkinson’s are stuck in hospital beds because community care doesn’t exist. Others are forced to rely on hardworking care workers who lack basic training on time-critical medication and complex neurological needs. Meanwhile, unpaid carers are burning out in silence.
"We welcome the accelerated timeline for the Casey Commission. Our priority is making sure that the voice of the Parkinson's community is heard loud and clear in the Big Conversation, to move us towards a truly person-centred care system. The government must not just listen. They must act with the urgency this crisis demands."
Changes to social care are long overdue
David Newbold, Director of Community, said:
“Changes to social care in England are long overdue. We hear all too often how the current system is failing people with Parkinson’s, who desperately need support but simply can’t get it. Now it's time for the Casey Commission to hear your experiences.
“The Big Conversation on Care is your opportunity to make change happen. Please take time to share your thoughts on what a better system should look like so that it properly supports people living with Parkinson’s and the people who care for them.”