British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has warned that the National Health Service (NHS) risks collapse unless long overdue reforms to England’s social care system are implemented, saying he is determined to deliver “substantial change” during his time in office.
In an interview with the BBC ahead of a major speech, Burnham said the NHS was being overwhelmed by patients who should instead be receiving proper social care support.
“If we don’t fix social care, the NHS will collapse under the weight of trying to care for people who really should not have ended up in the NHS system,” he said.
Burnham declined to set a deadline for reform but said he would devote “whatever political capital” he has to overhauling the system. The government is expected to accelerate the work of the Casey Commission, an independent review led by Baroness Louise Casey, which is examining long term solutions for adult social care.
The prime minister also signalled tougher welfare policies, suggesting that some benefits could become more conditional to encourage more people into work. He said Britain needed to “get serious” about reducing the welfare bill while ensuring people receive the support needed to find employment.
On funding social care, Burnham did not rule out difficult fiscal decisions but insisted his government would honour its election manifesto. His comments prompted Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch to urge him to rule out tax increases or additional borrowing to finance reforms.
The issue has divided successive governments because adult social care in England is means tested, with many people required to pay significant costs themselves. Health experts have long argued that reform is essential to reduce pressure on hospitals and improve care for elderly and vulnerable people.
Leave a comment