Independent study calls for ‘radical’ overhaul of health and social care

A new study has recommended that the health and social care sectors within the NHS be brought together as part of a substantial restructuring of the health service.

The independent commission, established by The King's Fund, has proposed a unified ring-fenced budget for the NHS and social care, with a single commissioner for local services. This would involve social care services becoming free at the point of care for patients in the greatest need.

In order to fund these changes, the report proposed increasing National Insurance contributions for older people and the wealthy, as it is expected they will be the primary beneficiaries of the reforms.

It was also emphasised that change is essential if the NHS is to remain sustainable and fit for purpose in the long term.

Kate Barker, chair of the commission, said: "We propose radical change, greater than any since 1948, that would bring immense benefit to people who fall into the cracks between means-tested social care and a free NHS."

This comes after a previous study from The King's Fund suggested that NHS finances are currently stretched to breaking point, with a quarter of NHS trust finance directors expecting to overspend their budgets this year.