Chapter 31

Cross-Departmental Review of care and support for older people

Scope

The cross-departmental review of care and support for older people examined the scope for improving the 'gateway' to ongoing care and support for older people and some disabled people who cannot work. It reviewed existing arrangements for information provision and needs assessment, and explored the possibility of a single point of access to care and support. It considered the scope for more rational, effective and efficient systems of service delivery across the boundaries of social services, the NHS, government bodies and private and voluntary sectors.

Background

31.1 Since 1997, new measures have been introduced which directly benefit older people, including:

free sight tests for the over 60s;
free flu jabs for all the over 75s, which will be extended to everyone over 65 this coming winter;
funding to tackle unacceptable waits for cataract operations;
action to promote independence for older people and other groups, including enhanced prevention services, better home care support to allow older people to maintain their independence for as long as possible, and better respite support for those caring for elderly relatives; and
additional funds for the NHS, which have benefited older people as the major users of the NHS.

31.2 The Government is building on these policies by further enhancing support for the elderly at home and by expanding rehabilitation care to help older people recover after a stay in hospital or a minor accident. The details will be set out in the Government's National Plan for the NHS. The Government also intends to put measures in place to ensure older people are able to access information about the services that are available.

31.3 The current pattern of assessment and service provision for the elderly needs to be modernised. In addition, older people are not always aware of their eligibility for benefits or local services. The cross-departmental review of Care and Support for Older People was set up to consider how to tackle such problems.

Outcomes

31.4 The review confirmed that there were problems with the coordination of services for older people. Extensive consultation with external groups concluded that older people needed easy access to a source of information and advice to help with day to day problems (for example, advice on the benefit system) as well as more major concerns about how to access services.

31.5 As a result of the cross-departmental review, the Government will pilot new approaches including:

local pilots of a 'Care Direct' phone line to provide help and advice on care and support services as well as benefits. Where appropriate, the Care Direct phone line will refer callers on to:
local help desks to answer more detailed queries and to provide outreach teams to those potentially in need of such services; where appropriate, providing:
'befrienders' - older volunteers to help steer the elderly through the care system; and
named advisers to ensure that all services are delivered properly.

31.6 The aim is to improve access to information and services, and to support joint working between the NHS and social services.

Spending plans

31.7 The Care Direct idea needs to be tested before the Government commits to full national roll-out. As a result of this cross-departmental review, additional funds totalling £30 million over the next three years have been included in the Department of Health's Personal Social Services programme for Care Direct pilots.

31.8 These additional funds will allow for piloting of the new approach and should make a significant contribution to understanding how best to deliver services for the elderly in a way that is easy to access. By involving older volunteers, the Care Direct pilots also support the volunteering strategy developed by the cross-departmental review of the Active Community (see Chapter 30).