Individuals 'at heart of care plan'

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley has said individuals and families will be at the heart of plans to create a sustainable care and support system for all adults.

As he set out plans for the Commission on the Funding and Care and Support, Mr Lansley said a number of funding ideas would be taken into consideration.

They would, he said, include both voluntary insurance and partnership schemes.

The Commission, to be chaired by Andrew Dilmot, will report to Mr Lansley within the next 12 months.

As part of its role, it will provide a number of recommendations including how to meet care and support costs as a partnership between the state and the individual, and how a patient's assets could be protected against the cost of care.

It will also examine how public funding can be used to meet care needs.

The English Community Care Association (ECCA), a representative body for independent care providers, welcomed the announcement of who will be on the Commission on the Funding of Care and Support and hopes that it will finally come up with the solution to long-term care funding.

Martin Green, chief executive of ECCA, said: "We hope this Commission will act swiftly to deliver a long-term solution for the funding of long-term care.

"It is our hope that this Commission will not revisit the debates about options, but will come up with a conclusion that will deliver the necessary funding that is required for long-term sustainability and innovation in care."

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