A sticking plaster, or let it bleed?
TWO months ago, to the day, when the Employment & Social Security Committee’s proposals on the funding of long-term care were first published, this column described it as ‘just a sticking plaster over a massive financial and capacity problem’.
Today, on the eve of that debate, the Policy & Resources Committee reaches much the same conclusion.
Although 40% of its members don’t agree, the majority of the committee say that there is a need for government intervention now to begin to mitigate the impacts of the changes in our demographic, and to support and incentivise the sector.
Those two-fifths – Deputies Soulsby and Murray – say that they are concerned about the timing of any interventions and the knock-on implications for future policy decisions. Sounds rather like pre-election nerves?
P&R admits that there is ‘no guarantee’ that these measures will make any difference to increasing the number of beds, though it says it has had ‘some encouraging early discussions’ with care providers about new homes.
The big decision that States members will have to make this week is, is it better to make a move, even if the outcome is uncertain?
Or better to take no action at all, and continue to let matters drift, in the search for the ultimate solution for funding long-term care?