- Conference
- 2002 National Delegate Conference
- Date
- 25 February 2002
- Decision
- Carried as Amended
This Conference welcomes the statements made by the main political parties during the general election campaign and hopes that, in office, the Government will make evident its practical support for pensioners.
However, Conference expresses its grave concern that the Government continues to refuse to implement the central recommendation of the Royal Commission on Long Term Care that all personal care, both nursing and social care, should be free at the point of use and funded from general taxation.
Conference calls on the National Executive Council to remind the Government that nothing less than taking full financial responsibility for the care of the elderly whether at home, in hospital or residential and nursing care, will satisfy the urgent need now being brought increasingly to their attention. Conference believes that:
1)the division of personal care into free nursing care and means-tested social care is irrational, unworkable and unfair;
2)It is fundamentally wrong to charge people for essential care without which they cannot lead their lives, such as help with feeding, dressing and going to the toilet;
3)Provision of such care should be based on need and available free at the point of use;
4)Nursing care should not be limited to the care provided by a registered nurse, the central role played by non-registered nurses and healthcare assistants in caring for older and disabled people must be recognised;
5)Current policy in relation to long-term care discriminates against older and disabled people by requiring them to pay for care that it is provided free in other settings to younger people and those who are not disabled;
6)Means-testing care is degrading and unfair and under current arrangements, penalises people with small amounts of savings or assets such as ownership of their home; and
7)There should consistency of provision and equitable access to care throughout the UK.
Conference calls on the Government to:
a)Implement the Royal Commission’s call for all personal care, nursing and social care, to be provided free on the basis of need; and
b)Make the funding of such care for older and disabled people a priority in its current comprehensive spending review.
Conference welcomes the formation of the Right to Care Campaign, co-ordinated by UNISON, involving major charities, voluntary organisations and unions to campaign on this issue.
Conference resolves to:
i)Continue to campaign for the principles outlined above;
ii)Continue its support for the Right to Care Campaign; and
iii)use any influence to lobby the Government to fully fund the introduction of free care, throughout the UK, for all with a recognised long-term care need.