‘We need our own National Care Service’

WALES should have its own “National Care Service” to mirror the current National Health Service, Plaid Cymru claims.

The party’s newly-established Care Commission says it will test the viability of developing such a service for Wales, including any structural, legal and workforce issues.

It will also invite experts from across the social care, health and third sectors to provide oral and written evidence, and look at the financial implications of delivering free social care at the point of delivery.

Dai Lloyd AM’s proposal to establish a Care Commission to look at creating a National Care Service was recently passed by Plaid Cymru National Council in June.

“Care is care, regardless of whether need is health or social,” he said. “Plaid Cymru has long stated that social care should be free at the point of need and funded from general taxation, in the same way that the NHS is funded.

“It has been clear for quite some time that the way in which social care is being delivered and funded in Wales is unfair, and can place a significant financial burden on those families who need it.

“The issue is particularly urgent in the face of increasing stress on the integration of health and social care and the current financial, recruitment, retention and delivery pressures facing the social care sector in Wales.

“The status quo of charging for dementia care and other allied neurological disease, but not for other health conditions, is an injustice that can’t be retained. Social care and social care workers must be given parity of esteem and status within the health and social care system. The NHS was established through political will. Social care needs to be given parity of esteem with health, and this is why Plaid Cymru is proud to see the first meeting of our Care Commission – the very first of its kind.

“We want to set a clear vision for social care in Wales that would be radical, nationally led, and delivered across Wales to tackle the pressures on our social services in Wales.”

The Care Commission met for the first time on Friday to discuss the issue.