A LEADING campaigner has met with the Shadow Social Care Minister to discuss the crisis in the care of older and vulnerable adults and how Labour would tackle it if it wins the General Election.
Mike Padgham, chair of The Independent Care Group, held talks with Andrew Gwynne, Shadow Minister for Social Care, at Westminster.
Mike said the talks had been constructive and he had come away with the impression that the shadow minister “got” social care and the challenges it faces.
“It was a very positive and constructive meeting,” he added. “It was encouraging to hear that Andrew understood the crisis in social care and the importance of tackling it.
“He reiterated Labour’s pledge to support the social care workforce within its first 100 days in office, which is clearly good news for a sector that is suffering from 152,000 vacancies.
“We also discussed the need for a greater social care presence on the ICBs, local authorities driving down prices, a stronger role for the CQC in commissioning and financial transparency.
“I also invited him up to North Yorkshire to see social care delivery on the frontline.”
Mike also took the opportunity to give Andrew a copy of the ICG’s Five Pillars of Social Care Reform document, which sets out how it believes the crisis in the sector should be tackled.