Jasmin Adebisi
Policy Manager (Health), Policy Connect
Peter Dowd
Labour MP for Bootle, and Officer of the All-Party Parliamentary Health Group
Discover the urgent need for a long-term Adult Social Care Workforce Strategy to fortify NHS services. Join the dialogue shaping the future of healthcare.
Implementing a comprehensive social care workforce strategy is crucial for revitalising NHS services. Whilst the care workforce pathway is promising, there remains a compelling need for a dedicated, long-term Adult Social Care Workforce Strategy to futureproof the adult social care sector over the next 10–15 years.
Lacking social care workforce plan
The absence of a parallel workforce plan for the social care sector, currently grappling with 152,000 vacancies, poses a substantial risk to realising the goals outlined in the long-term NHS Workforce Plan. One of the significant hurdles is the integration of the health and care sectors, given the existing disparities in pay scales.
Without swift measures to address funding and workforce shortages, essential services face extinction, exacerbating demands on the NHS and councils while leading to escalating levels of unmet social care needs in local communities. After enduring more than a decade of stagnant social care funding, and with an impending general election, the time has come for bold policies that address core issues.
Investing in social care is an investment
in pressure alleviation for the NHS.
Integrated social care strategy
A well-defined strategy would not only address existing challenges in social care but also seamlessly integrate with the NHS’s long-term workforce plan. This integration is crucial for creating a cohesive and sustainable healthcare system.
Investing in social care is an investment in pressure alleviation for the NHS. Timely and effective social care interventions can prevent the escalation of health issues, reducing the strain on emergency services and hospital admissions. This proactive approach not only enhances patient care but also fosters a more efficient and cost-effective healthcare system.
Addressing healthcare interconnection
Britain’s next government must prioritise the creation of a long-term social care workforce plan. This plan should address the challenges faced by the sector, ensuring its ability to seamlessly complement the NHS and contribute to a resilient healthcare system.
Policy Connect and the All-Party Parliamentary Health Group recognise the urgency of this matter and will be holding a pivotal event on the adult social care workforce in March, inviting stakeholders to contribute to the dialogue and shape the future of healthcare in the UK. It is time to recognise the interconnectedness of social care and the NHS for a healthier and more sustainable future.
