This is one of the recommendations in a paper published by the Hallmark Foundation, which sets out six building blocks for better care so people can age well. The document, Care 2030: Creating a Britain where everyone can age well, prioritises choice and control; workforce; equal integration; housing; technology; and family carers.
According to Age UK estimates in 2019 there were 1.5 million older people in England with some level of unmet need for care.
‘More accurate monitoring of levels of unmet need across the country is vital for strategic planning at national and local level to prevent needs increasing,’ the paper said.
It argues an Office for Care and Ageing Well would be able to better monitor and report on current and future needs and how these can be met in ways that are sustainable and promote the best use of resources.
The paper, which has been written by journalist Jonathan Bunn and Hallmark Foundation chief executive Stephen Burke, also recommends different approaches to recruiting and developing care workers and future leaders; improvements in developing lifelong homes and supporting family carers; and placing health and social care on an equal footing, with mechanisms for people who draw on support, carers and providers to have input into strategic decisions.
‘The government has raised expectations through its recent announcement of a national insurance rise to pay for tackling the health backlog following Covid-19 and “fixing social care”,’ Burke said.
‘This is an opportunity for everyone using and providing care to raise our game and push for better care. It’s also a challenge to leaders within and outside government to be bold and ambitious.
‘The forthcoming spending review and white paper are the perfect springboards to deliver better care. “Care 2030” sets out key building blocks to make it happen.’
