'Securing good care for older people' review

In 2005, the King's Fund commissioned Sir Derek Wanless to undertake the 'Securing good care for older people' review.

The 1-year review sought to examine the long-term trends that would affect the demand for social care services for older people and to consider the resources required to provide comprehensive, high-quality care.

Wanless concluded that there would be an increase in demand for services and that projections suggested social care services would need additional funding. Wanless also suggested, however, that additional funding should be conditional on demonstrable evidence of achievement against value for money and fairness measures.

Regarding models of payment, Wanless recommended a partnership model of funding between the individual and the state.

This partnership model would provide a minimum level of care, with incentives for private top-ups through match funding from the government (up to a certain level). The government would match every pound, until the benchmark care package was achieved. After this, individuals could continue to contribute, but there would be no further government match funding.

This system would end the system of means testing, but for some individuals, their share of the bill could be paid through the benefit system.

The report also suggested that non means-tested benefits, such as the attendance allowance, should be integrated into the social care system. Furthermore, the money spent on universal non means-tested benefits for older people, such as winter fuel payments, should be redirected to investment in the long-term care of older people.