NHS Confederation calls for clarification on care reforms

The NHS Confederation has reminded the government of the need to provide further details on new social care reform measures aimed at better supporting the elderly.

Earlier this week, health secretary Jeremy Hunt announced a series of measures to help older people afford long-term care, such as a new cap on costs at 75,000 pounds and a means-testing threshold of 123,000 pounds.

The NHS Confederation has cautiously welcomed these moves, praising the government for heeding its warnings not to raid NHS budgets to prop up social care.

However, NHS Confederation interim director of policy Jo Webber noted: "We need to see a clear outline of eligibility thresholds so that people understand the levels of support they can expect in old age, and so the NHS … can plan to provide the right care."

She also noted that the population of the UK is living longer on average than in the past, a trend that will continue to gain pace and place untenable pressures on the NHS without significant changes to the range and reach of social care services.