When Boris Johnson became Prime Minister, he promised in his first speech that he had a plan “to fix the crisis in social care once and for all”. This turned out to be a lie, setting the template for a Government that promises the world and delivers nothing. For there was no plan. Instead there was a pandemic, which came along to expose starkly some deep problems that bedevil this sector. So it was no surprise to hear the Care Quality Commission warn last week of its fragilities as the country heads into a second wave of infections.
Despite his grotesque deception, Johnson cannot be blamed for all the sector’s woes. Previous administrations also pledged to save social care, holding reviews and churning out white papers, but did nothing. Budgets fell despite rising demand, especially among working-age adults, although funds were always found to keep the sacred health service afloat. Meanwhile social care was left to rot. Ian Trenholm, the regulator’s chief executive, is right…
— to inews.co.uk
