Age NI response to Reform of Adult Social Care public consultation
Published on 27 June 2022 11:00 PM
Please read Age NI’s response to the Department of Health’s public consultation on the Reform of Adult Social Care.
Age NI welcomes the opportunity to respond to this consultation and we acknowledge the ambition, complexity and challenge associated with reform of this nature and scale.
Scale and pace of change
Age NI believes that radical changes are needed as a matter of priority if health and social care services are to respond positively to Northern Ireland’s ageing population, help people stay well and feel good for longer, and deliver positive outcomes for older people now and in the future.
Political context
Age NI welcomes this consultation and the principles reflected in its proposals. We are concerned that the absence of the Northern Ireland Executive will inhibit the introduction of a Programme for Government or the planned three year budget and impede progress on reform of adult social care.
Budget and funding
Age NI is concerned at the absence of any information on funding or a budget to implement the proposals. We are concerned that the pace of reform and future provision may be undermined by the conditionality of funding.
As the leading charity for older people in Northern Ireland we are keen to continue to engage in the reform of adult social care. We look forward to engaging with the Department and other key stakeholders in the process that lies ahead.