Marie Curie Cancer Care Response to the Care Bill published today

Imelda Redmond, Marie Curie’s Director of Policy and Public Affairs says; “Marie Curie welcomes the publication of the Care Bill and the long overdue modernisation of our social care legislation.

“Under current legislation, which has been widely acknowledged as not being fit for purpose, those needing end of life care have found it complicated and time consuming to access the care they need - when time is a precious and limited commodity.

“The current system leads to poor co-ordination, slow decision making and inequitable access to care. We know people often get stuck in hospital at the end of life. This is because the system can’t move quickly enough to put in place the right care package to enable them to be cared for and die in the place of their choice.

“We now have the opportunity to address many long standing issues and ensure that people who need social care, including those at the end of life, get the care and support they need at the right time and in the right place.

“We believe those who need end of life care, deserve the best integrated health and social care and should be able to receive that care in the place of their choice.

“We are pleased that the Bill will provide a framework which puts individual choice, control and rights at the heart of legislation and puts an emphasis on people being treated with dignity and respect. And that it recognises the important role carers have to play and the need for them to be properly supported.

• We are glad to see that it recognises the importance of a skilled and valued workforce.
• We also welcome everyone being able to have a personal budget being enshrined in law, rather than left to local authority discretion.
• We see the introduction of portable care assessments which are able to move with people as an important right. This particularly significant when people only have a short time to live.

“Over the coming weeks, we’ll be scrutinising and providing input into the development of the Bill to ensure those who need end of life care and those who care for them, get the best possible support. This will mean they can make the most of the time they have left with their friends and families.”