‘Shaping the Future of Care’

Listening Event 29th Oct 2009

A Partnership Event: Age Concern BHP, Brighton Hove Older Peoples Council and LINk (Local Involvement Network)

Main conclusions

1. Just over half of attendees felt the event was a good opportunity to have their views listened to. Over one quarter felt it was an excellent opportunity.

2. Approximately two thirds of people felt it was a good opportunity to have their views taken forward, and nearly 15% felt it an excellent opportunity. Some people however, were unsure that their views would go forward.

3. Over 40% of respondents felt the event was a good or excellent opportunity to have their questions answered.

4. Some people felt the venue was not very comfortable and discussion was difficult due to noise levels, but others enjoyed the freedom to express their views within their discussion circle.

5. No-one felt the event was not worthwhile in some way. Overall, people felt the event was important to make their views known, and a good opportunity to find out more about the Green Paper on Care proposals.

Quotes

The event

‘Personally I found it invigorating to meet people and discuss and share points of view. Also to learn of the associations etc. in the area. A good opportunity for everyone to participate and feel confident.’

‘It’s a shame that events like these couldn’t have been arranged so that more time was available before the end of the consultation period. It would have been great to see this mirrored by other (local) organisations so we could have a more comprehensive view. Having said that well done for being the only 3 organisations for doing something.’

Burning issues

‘Means testing reduces pensioners to poverty – who really contributed to the economy.’

‘How to decide on the fairest and most affordable funding system.’

‘How to integrate with NHS.’

Just the same one as always – if you save money you are penalized by the present system – so, why did I bother?’

‘I would like issues for unpaid carers to be taken forward.’

Also against setting up of a panel of experts as proposed in the Green Paper; several years and several millions of pounds would pass before any findings – the future of care needs to be faced now.’

‘What is happening about DLA. What happened in Scotland – even given that it is geographically and culturally different.’

Main Points

1. It was a curate's egg: good in parts.

2. The devil was in the detail: which was not in the Green Paper: difficult to see how some of the proposals would work.

3. Real concern over discriminatory proposals over disability entitlements being restricted to younger people: and the potential threshold for eligibility.

4. Consideration should be given to integration of a National Health and Social Care Service.

5. More younger people should be involved in consultation as they are the people who will need to services in the future.

6. Repeat of support for general Taxation / N.I. (for a variety of reasons) but with ring fenced money.

7. Integral support needed both for users and agencies to work seamlessly.