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摘要

We are getting closer to the publication of this summer's long-awaited adult social care green paper.The bread and butter of the document will have to deal with two fundamental points. First, it will need to set out a credible plan to deal with existing pressures. This is critically important given current financial challenges and the demographic changes facing all councils.We will collectively need to ensure any change in policy is fully costed and can be practically implemented at a time when the means-tested system is already under severe strain. This is particularly important in counties, where high levels of self-funders bring additional complexities and costs.Second, the paper must support and focus on improving better prevention and integration. Government's vision for reform, with integrated personalised care is welcome, but this would be severely undermined by any moves to reduce the role of councils.