The provision of adequate adult social care poses a significant public service challenge. Demand for care is rising while public spending is falling.
“Adult social care, including care of an ageing population, is one of the big issues we face at present. It is important to understand this in the context of the wider healthcare system of acute and primary care. There are no easy answers, but we need to think clearly and in a joined-up way about the predictable and growing challenges in years to come.”
Amyas Morse, head of the National Audit Office, 13 March 2014
In the first of a series of reports on the adult care system, the National Audit Office has highlighted the main risks and challenges as the system changes radically. The report points out that government does not know if the limits of the capacity of the care system to continue to absorb pressures are being approached. It warns that major changes to the system to improve outcomes and reduce costs will be challenging to achieve.
To view the report go to http://www.nao.org.uk/report/adult-social-care-england-overview/