It is a fact of life that we all have to plan what care we need as we get older. Most people I talk to about this say they want to live in their own homes for as long as possible, near their neighbours and loved ones. Legislation is in the Queens Speech to introduce the first ever National Care Service for all adults who need social care.  

Like the NHS, the NCS will provide care free at the time of need, not based on the ability to pay.

To make a start we will make it possible for those with the highest care needs to receive free personal care in their own homes, an extension of Derbyshire’s free home help scheme. The Personal Care At Home Bill will give free personal care in their own homes for those with the highest need. From next October those with the greatest needs will be protected both from charges and from top-up fees for care received in their own homes.

This will help all those people with the greatest care needs, including people with serious dementia or Parkinson’s, who currently fund their own care.

This care will make a vital difference. It will not be token care. It will help people to do essential daily tasks such as washing, dressing and getting in and out of bed.

This will mean that those who have suffered from a stroke, fall or stay in hospital will have the best possible support to return to their homes as well as the dignity and confidence to do so.

People in High Peak deserve to have a National Care Service rather than the lottery that exists at present. Too often those with the greatest needs are those least able to pay for their care and this inequity has to stop.