The current system of paying for care for older and disabled people is over 60 years old, and needs to change if we are to meet increasing demand and higher expectations. We want to create a system that is simpler, fairer and more affordable for individuals, their families and government.
The Welsh Assembly Government wants to know your views on how we should pay for care in the future.
‘Paying for Care in Wales: creating a fair and sustainable system’ was published on 16 November 2009. It sets out a number of options for reforming the current system, and sets out the main advantages and disadvantages of each.
For further information, visit: Paying for Care in Wales (external link)
How to respond
Please submit your comments by 28 February 2010, in any of the following ways:
payingforcare@wales.gsi.gov.uk
Post
Older People and Long Term Care Policy Directorate
Welsh Assembly Government
Cathays Park
Cardiff
CF10 3NQ
Consultation documents
PDF version The Measure will allow Welsh Assembly Government to exercise greater control over the financial assessments councils make to calculate charges for services such as home care, day care and support for carers.
Research undertaken for the Welsh Assembly has shown that there is wide variation in the charges made by local authorities for these services and disparity in the rules used by them in assessing a person’s financial means to pay.
The Deputy Minister for Social Services, Gwenda Thomas, said:
“This is a landmark Measure for the Welsh Assembly Government enabling us to deliver a fairer deal for those older and disabled people who are charged for their homecare and other non-residential services.
“Evidence clearly shows that those who receive these services experience inequity due to the wide inconsistencies that exist in the charging systems operated by local authorities.
“I am pleased to announce that these new powers will be used next year when we introduce our First Steps Improvement Package to tackle this inequity that will honour the One Wales commitment we made and help many vulnerable people in Wales.”
One of the major components of this First Steps Package is the introduction of a maximum weekly charge of £50 for all of the services a person receives irrespective of where they live in Wales.
Work will now commence in consultation with stakeholders to draw up the regulations and guidance required to introduce the First Steps Package from April 2011.
http://wales.gov.uk/news/topic/health/2010/100326homecarecharges/?lang=en
Alternative Versions:
Have your say in making the law better: Adult Social Care law Reform Conference, Monday 29 March 2010
Adult Social Care law Reform Conference, Monday 29 March 2010
Due to the very high level of interest shown, this conference is now fully booked. We are, however, having a report of the conference written and that will be available at the beginning of May. If you would like a copy, please let us know and we will arrange to email or post it to you.
To arrange for a copy of the report to be sent to you, please contact Ceri Gilg at ceri.gilg@olderpeoplewales.com or 08442 640670.
http://www.olderpeoplewales.com/index.php?id=71&L=0&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=184&tx_ttnews[backPid]=72&cHash=505bdad88d