There has been a lot written recently about the affects of local authority funding cuts on social care. Access to care is now very much a postcode lottery and the whole process is disjointed and in some cases totally shambolic.
Isn’t it about time we looked at a different way to take care of those who through illness, infirmity or a lifelong disability, are unable to look after themselves? A National Care Service.

My focus in this blog is obviously on learning disability, a lifelong condition for which there is no cure and thus care should be a fundamental right.  What would this national care service offer to learning disabled people?

  1. Assessment  undertaken by medical professionals with qualifications in LD.
  2. Choice of living arrangements whether it be care within the family home, supported living, intentional community or residential care, as needs and wishes dictate.
  3. Involvement of all parties, families need to be involved fully in the decision making process.
  4. Access to meaningful occupation and activities to enable a fulfilled life.

How can the sixth largest economy on the planet which easily finds billions to bail out banks and more billions to buy weapons of mass destruction possibly afford a national care service? I think I just answered that one.

As a society we have a responsibility to look after those who are unable to look after themselves and this should not be at the whim of petty politics between central government and local authorities, each blaming the other for their failures. We want care that is fit for purpose and gives our family members the dignity and rights that the rest us take for granted. Our relatives did not ask to be born with a learning disability.