Labour calls for end to 15-minute home care visits and pledges integration of health and social care

As all political parties step up their campaigning for the general election, Labour party leader Ed Miliband has set out his party's '10-year plan' for the NHS which includes longer home visits by home care workers

He also has pledged new safety checks to identify people at risk of hospitalisation and to recruit 5,000 new home care workers, as well as promising to tackle what he said was an 'iron curtain' between social and clinical care.

Responding to this announcement, Andy Cole, director of corporate affairs at Leonard Cheshire Disability, said: “Any change that can help bring an end to the inappropriate use of ‘flying’ 15-minute care visits is hugely important and welcome. Our own research has shown people are left facing impossible choices like whether to have a cup of tea or go to the toilet, it is clear that this is not the sort of care we would want for ourselves or our families.

“Social care is an absolutely vital public service, supporting millions of people across the country, but it is facing almost impossible pressures. More and more people need care but the funding available is simply not keeping pace, and the repercussions are being felt across the NHS. We need all parties to commit to invest in our care system so that people are not left without the support they need and facing impossible choices every day.”

In response to Labour’s plans for the integration of health and social care, The College of Social Work’s chief executive Annie Hudson said: “It is clear that the growing problems in health and social care cannot be addressed separately. Whoever is in control of the NHS from May needs to recognise social work as an integral component of a fully joined-up health and social care system.

“We know that social work is often the glue that holds integrated services together. With the skills and expertise to lead multi-disciplinary teams and provide truly person-centred care, social workers play a key role in reducing delayed discharge, preventing emergency admissions, and supporting and empowering individuals – particularly older people – to live full, independent lives. Working closely with GPs, they can be the lynchpins of successful integration.

“It should also be kept in mind that culture change will be crucial to success. Getting funding and systems working well is a significant element, but without attention to the way that professionals from different disciplines understand and relate to each other, integration is less likely to bring positive change.”