Alzheimer's Society responds to announcement of social care consultation

The First Secretary of State and Minister for the Cabinet Office, Damian Green, has announced today that the government will publish a green paper on care and support for older people by summer 2018.

The paper will set out plans for how government proposes to improve care and support for older people and tackle the challenge of an ageing population.

The Government is today expected to announce the first steps of a Green Paper aimed at reforming the social care system in England. The announcement is likely to provide timeframes for this consultation, who will be involved in the development of proposals and the form those proposals are likely to take.

Commenting on the announcement, Jeremy Hughes, Chief Executive Officer at Alzheimer’s Society, said:

'We’re reassured that the Government is today setting out its commitment to address the social care crisis so that real action can begin.

'It’s vital people with dementia are put at the heart of this consultation – they are the majority of the people needing social care.

'The election showed that the public are hungry for social care reform, but with the paper not expected until summer, they will have had another year of waiting. If there has been no true progress by then we, and people with dementia, will be asking big questions of the Government.

'Our helpline has taken too many desperate calls from people selling furniture from their living rooms and clothes off their backs to pay for their care. If the Government is truly committed to finding a solution, we need to see today’s words put into action in next week’s Budget. People with dementia can’t wait any longer, it’s time to put pounds behind the promises.'

Unite with us against dementia

Sign up to campaign for positive change to the lives of people with dementia.