Jane Ashcroft's comments on the NHS 10-year plan

Jane Ashcroft, Anchor Hanover's Chief Executive, comments on Health Secretary Matt Hancock's announcement about the NHS's 10-year plan.

Jane welcomes the focus on helping people back home more quickly and highlights the need for integration across health and social care services.

Jane's comment

The NHS 10-year plan is encouraging but government must now address social care and its integration with the health service.

We welcome the plan’s focus on helping people back home more quickly. We also support the focus on preventative public health measures. 

But these must now be supported by a similar emphasis on good social care. Greater integration and a fit-for-purpose social care system would reduce demand for hospital services.  

Social care allows people to live independently for longer and is proven to save the NHS many millions of pounds per year.

We eagerly await the social care green paper. After numerous delays by a succession of governments, this is a chance to turn the crisis around and provide clarity and peace of mind for today’s and tomorrow’s older people.

Jane Ashcroft CBE, Chief Executive of Anchor Hanover, England’s largest provider of care and housing for older people.