Election 2010 and Adult Social Care ‐ Policies and Prospects Available to Purchase

Social care is likely to be a key campaign issue in the 2010 general election. An overview of the current policy positions of the major political parties suggests a consensus in many areas, notably personalisation, the third sector, reducing bureaucracy, and closer working between health and social care. Differences may be sharper in policy detail and how future funding should be reformed. Irrespective of who wins the election, the forthcoming spending squeeze will focus attention on how to achieve more with fewer resources, and health and social care integration is likely to become a higher policy priority.