It's decision time

摘要

This week's conference happens at a critical time for this nation. Major decisions about the relationships between the countries within the UK have been closely followed by the political parties as they seek to make their pitch for the privilege of governing us from next May. There seems no doubt the NHS will be one area of debate and alongside this will go adult social care, however, health and social care have taken different courses in recent years. Local government hasn't undergone large scale restructuring, but the flatlining ofNHS expenditure is in the news in the face of rising demand. Social care, however, has achieved 26% savings - a mix of cash reductions and increasing need. A recent YouGov poll of more than 4,500 people, commissioned by the Care and Support Alliance, has indicated that one in three people rely on or have a close family member that relies on the care system. Also, after the NHS, social care support is the biggest priority for where the electorate wants the Government to increase expenditure.