Rachel's arguement AGAINST... and a question

Rachel's arguement AGAINST...

1. Argument against.
‘The government assumes the ultimate responsibility for care.’

Responsibility is NOT shifted to the family - it is the government that is ultimately responsible for care. I would like to give evidence for this by pointing out the governments role in:
- Current core principles of state run care departments
- Legal policies and procedures in place to regulate and improve care facilities

It is the state that is responsible for care. In April of this year, the Care and Counsel stated that the Department of Health is responsible for ‘the effective delivery of health and social care services in England.’ This responsibility is echoed in other government care providers, for instance the NHS core principles include statements such as:
- The NHS will provide a universal service for all based on clinical need, not ability to pay
- The NHS will provide a comprehensive range of services
- The NHS will shape its services around the needs and preferences of individual patients, their families and their carers

These do not sound like the policies of a government trying to shift responsibility away from themselves and onto carers - in fact it seems quite the opposite as Britain seems to remain welfare and needs focused in its delivery of services.

It is the state that produces relevant legislation, policy and procedure as to how care is conducted and managed - guidance which all care providers must abide by. Policies such as Carers and Disabled Children Combined Policy Guidance Act 2000 and Carers (Equal Opportunities) Act 2004 for instance is designed to ensure the rights of carers and the cared for are considered. Such policies are continually under review in an attempt to maintain high standards in care facilities. Such standards are also reflected in the targets for improving and maintaining the physical properties of the NHS. For instance, by 2010 around 40% of the total value of the NHS estate will be less than fifteen years old. State provided care is therefore improving and increasing rather than declining to pass duties on to community care.

It is the state that has established criteria to regulate care facilities to which private facilities and the state themselves are accountable. These national standards ensure that a minimum standard of care is given to service users, and as such the state is the backbone to all aspects of care given.

I would urge you to not to undervalue the benefits and contribution of state care provision and responsibility. Community Care policies do not remove the provision of state services– this option is always available. Instead it simply offers to support an alternative care option for those receiving care.





Question to be read by the FOR side:

I acknowledge that the state provides care services, but how does the government intend to ensure there is a suitable care workforce available to make alternatives to community care a viable option?

Answer to be read by the AGAINST side:

The government has already made plans to ensure that a skilled and highly qualified workforce is in place. In 2000 The NHS Plan Investment and reform for NHS hospitals was produced which displayed the state’s dedication to this.

The document states that plans are being made so that more job vacancies will be created for consultants, G.Ps, nurses and therapists, and that more training places will be made available so that thousands more will have the opportunity to enter into health and care professions.

The Plan also considers a review of the NHS pay system, so that staff are rewarded for what they do, and aims to extend the national recruitment and retention campaign to other staff groups as well as nursing and midwifery. More return to practice courses have been introduced along with effective support and mentoring of newly returned staff.

Overall, an extra £140m was invested in development and training by 2003/04. An additional £8 million to extend occupational health services to GPs and their staff. This is something that the government is taking seriously to ensure that our country can lead the way in public service provision of care.