The Conservative Health Secretary for the coalition government, Andrew Lansley, has said that a new independent commission will be set up to advise the government on the future funding of long-term care – and the NHS will be reformed to improve patient outcomes.

Mr Lansley said that the commission would report back to the government on its findings within a year.

The coalition government has also pledged to break down barriers between health and social care funding to encourage preventive action – and to extend the rolling out of personal budgets to both older and disabled patients and carers to give patients more control and purchasing power.

Mr Lansley said that the government would also increase direct payments to carers, as well as increasing better community-based provision to improve access to respite care.

Speaking at Thursday’s (20/05/10) launch, Mr Lansley said:

‘This document sets out a clear message to the NHS – that our united vision is for a healthcare system which achieves outcomes that are amongst the best in the world and free from day-to-day political interference. 

‘We will cut bureaucracy and hand back power to clinicians and patients to ensure they are at the forefront of decision making about NHS services,’ said Mr Lansley.

‘The proposals will drive up standards of care, eliminate waste and lead to better outcomes that improve the health of the nation,’ he added.

The Liberal Democrat Care Services Minister Paul Burstow said:

‘Urgent reform of the social care system is at the top of our agenda: the current system is unsustainable – it cannot go on as it is. Our first step to reform is to establish an independent commission.

‘The Commission on Long Term Care will be tasked with delivering a sustainable settlement, which is a fair partnership between the state and the individual.  We’ll set out further details and the terms of reference soon.’

However, the government has also announced that provisions in the Personal Care at Home Act 2010 relating to free care at home will not be implemented. But ministers will consider what more can be done within available resources regarding re-ablement – helping adult and often elderly patients remain independent – and breaks for carers.

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