Government publishes Care Bill

Published today, the Care Bill introduces legislation to provide protection and support to the people who need it most and to take forward elements of the government's initial response to the Francis Inquiry.

The Care Bill will give people peace of mind that they will be treated with compassion when in hospital, care homes or their own home.

The Bill is split into 3 parts:
Reform of care and support
Response to the Francis Inquiry on failings at Mid-Staffordshire Hospital
Health Education England and the Health Research Authority

Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt said:
"We have swiftly brought in measures to address the findings of Robert Francis' report that will improve care and mean that patients will be treated with more compassion and respect. I strongly believe that the Chief Inspectors, improved training for staff and making quality as important as finance will improve NHS care."

"These changes go hand in hand with our epic changes to care legislation that will mean, for the first time, older people will not have to fear losing their homes in their lifetime to pay care home fees and everyone with a care plan will be able to have a personal budget to choose how they are cared for."

"Importantly, if someone has help to pay for care in the south but wants to move to the north to be closer to their family, they will be able to do so without fear of losing the funding."

Care Services Minister Norman Lamb said:
"For the first time in a generation we are addressing the pressing need to support older people when they reach crisis point and need help most. People will finally be able to plan for their later years and not have to fear being saddled with catastrophic costs to pay for care."

"This, coupled with the new national eligibility criteria, ability to transfer care if we move to a different part of the country and giving everyone who is eligible access to a personal budget, will greatly improve the outlook for later life."