End this ‘guessing game’ on launch of Social Care Green Paper
End this ‘guessing game’ on launch of Social Care Green Paper
By Paul Roberts
www.caringforyourbusiness.co.uk
The launch of the Social Care Green Paper has been put back to ‘early July’ – despite repeated assurances from the Government that it would be published in June 2009.
There were strong hints that it would be unveiled on June 22. Today, on the Laing and Buisson website, it was reported that the launch was likely to be Tuesday, June 30.
But now, the National Care Forum has revealed on its website that the green paper will be published in early July.
Why on earth do we have this guessing game about publication dates? The Government must be fully aware of when it’s coming out.
People who have drawn up the document know when it will be published – and the printers will have been set a deadline for producing it.
The uncertainty over the publication date helps no-one. The reason for delaying the launch should be explained in a no-nonsense way.
The debate over the likely content has gathered momentum in the past few days because of the ‘rumours’ that the document was to be published in June.
Andy Burnham, Secretary of State of Health, confirmed the ‘early July’ publication date while answering questions in the House of Commons on June 23.
Care Services Minister Phil Hope said the document would set out an overall direction for high-quality and cost-effective services.
The green paper, he said, would be radical, and would spell out what ‘we will do in future to ensure that people get high-quality care, and that they have choice and control over that care. ‘
The launch of the document will be followed by a 16-week consultation period (culminating in October 2009).
Both Mr Burnham and Mr Hope can do us all a favour by now revealing the exact publication date. Everyone in social care must be fed up with the green paper ‘guessing game’.
Paul Roberts
www.caringforyourbusiness.co.uk
Roberts Consultants. Specialists in developing care businesses
