The government have made various statements about the future of the NHS and social care. It is the Department of Health and Social Care but very little has been said about the latter.
I have very firmly become a carer of my wife who has mixed dementia and severe osteoarthritis in both hips. She recently started at a day centre one day a week which is a combination of respite but also stimulation for her. She has been attending a dementia hub a couple of mornings a week and I was introduced to about sixteen carers of some of the attendees who were having a mutual support session and a chat with a member of the Commissioning Department.
I explained I was there as a carer but was asked questions. When I mentioned championing integrated care ( through NESCHA) ; sharing best practice ( there is lots around but there is lots of bad practice too despite similar resources) ; and trying to keep people in their own homes as long as possible. There was a spontaneous – and completely unexpected round of applause as they wholeheartedly agreed with these points, which are the bedrock of what we have been promoting in recent years through newsletters, workshops, forums and regional conferences. It was quite uplifting to know that all these carers were completely in agreement about the challenges they face and that our aims and strategy chime so strongly with them.
So the future needs to change with A&E blocked with so many people waiting, as operating theatres too cant operate as there are no beds available as they are being held up by patients needing care packages which aren’t available.
As a former inpatient some years ago I saw examples around me of patients who wanted to go home but couldnt be supported.