Anchor Hanover CEO Jane Ashcroft welcomes plans for social care reform

Following the Queen's Speech, Anchor Hanover CEO Jane Ashcroft has welcomed the government's intention to bring forward reform of the social care sector. 

Jane Ashcroft CBE, Chief Executive of Anchor Hanover, said:
 

The announcement in today’s Queen’s Speech of the government’s intention to bring forward reform of the social care sector is welcome. It’s now crucial that clear timescales are set out for making it happen.
 
The pandemic has exacerbated the challenges for the adult social care sector, which has been under-resourced and overstretched for decades.
 
This is a pivotal moment and government must prioritise adult social care as the nation recovers from the pandemic. Adequate funding is an absolute priority as is system reform. 
 
Anchor Hanover is calling on the government to commit to a cap on individual care costs and to drive parity of esteem between social care and the NHS to help recruit and retain those with the necessary skills and frame of mind into the sector. It’s also crucial that the important role of specialist housing in enabling people to stay independent for longer is recognised in the legislation.
 
Our social care colleagues who have provided essential services to some of the most vulnerable in society throughout the pandemic must be recognised and, as a sector, we look forward to working with government. Now is the time to begin implementing robust, sustainable, long-term funding and structural reform in social care; building the system which our nation deserves.