Heléna Herklots - Age Concern

As the government continues its public consultation about the future of our care system ePolitix.com speaks to Heléna Herklots regional operations and service development director at Age Concern, about its campaign, the Big Q, the theme for its summer reception.

Question: Why is reform of care and support so important?

Heléna Herklots: The difficulties in getting good quality care and support is one of the main issues that older people and their relatives contact us about. We know that the right care and support can transform people's lives by promoting their dignity, independence and wellbeing. But the system is underfunded, rationed, and too many people are not getting access to what they need.

More needs to be done to improve the quality of care that people receive. Age Concern wants to see a care system that provides high quality care, treating people fairly and equally and promoting the dignity, rights and independence of older people.

With an ageing population we must take action now for current and future generations.

Question: What is Age Concern doing?

Heléna Herklots: We're focusing on how quality can be improved and the levers needed to make it happen.

We are drawing on the wealth of knowledge and experience of the people who come into contact with care services. As part of the Big Q, Age Concern is holding listening events up and down the country where people with experiences of and/or opinions on the current care system invite their MP to participate in discussions on problems and ways forward.

We are also able to draw on the experience of Age Concerns across the country who are providing services to older people.

Question: What does reform need to deliver?

Heléna Herklots: We look to all parties to work together towards a long term settlement. People need to have confidence in their ability to prepare for their old age. Any successful reform will have to incorporate the following key elements:

• Sustainability – a long-term settlement that strikes the right balance between individual, family, and state responsibilities
• Quality - high quality, personalised services that promote the dignity of older people
• Fairness - a universal offer so that everyone gets access to the help they need to arrange their care
• Affordability - for individuals and the government
• Clarity – built-in information and advice to help people make the best decisions about their own care
• Independence – service and support that promotes independence, and enables people to exercise choice and control.