Deputy Mayor calls for urgent social care reform

Melksham’s Deputy Mayor has called for urgent reform of the social care system, drawing on her experience as both a town councillor and a frontline care worker.

Gillian Elson, who is also a part-time domiciliary care worker, has written to Prime Minister Andy Burnham urging the Government to make social care a national priority.

In her letter, Cllr Elson said her work in the community had given her insight into both the strengths and “serious failings” of the current system.

She highlighted concerns including the treatment and pay of carers, the loss of person-centred care, inequalities within the system and the need for greater accountability and long-term reform.

In her letter, she said, “Prime Minister, if you are serious about improving life in every postcode in the country, then social care must be at the heart of that mission and must be improved at every postcode, rather urgently.”

She added, “Our vulnerable citizens deserve dignity, independence and compassion.

“And our communities deserve a care system that places people before processes, profits and puts long-term outcomes before short-term fixes.”

Cllr Elson said she wanted to contribute to discussions around creating a more sustainable and person-centred social care system.

She said, “I am not highlighting these issues simply to criticise. I want to help fix the system.”