How has your background in mental health nursing and NHS leadership shaped your views on adult social care policy?
Because of my background, I understand how closely mental health and adult social care are connected. Many people who have been admitted to mental health units, particularly those who are exceptionally vulnerable or have certain neurodivergences, need ongoing care and support to live a high-quality, independent life after discharge. That is why adult social care and mental health nursing are so closely linked.
I became Co-Chair of the APPG on Adult Social Care just a few months after being elected to Parliament, because I knew how vital this issue is to the future of our NHS and how directly it relates to my professional experience as a mental health nurse.
What are the most urgent issues the government must address to improve adult social care?
We need to reduce our reliance on hospitals for people who would be far better supported elsewhere, such as in their own homes. This situation is not only detrimental to patients but also places significant pressure on the NHS.
In a recent meeting with my local Integrated Care Board (ICB), I was told that around 500 patients across East Kent, where my constituency is based, were unable to be discharged from hospital simply because there was nowhere for them to go. This clearly shows that care must be considered as part of a wider, systemic issue.
I was pleased to see that the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, has allocated £711 million to help 7,800 more disabled and older people make essential changes to their homes. This will allow more people to live independently, reduce avoidable hospital admissions, and improve discharge rates, helping free up hospital beds for those in urgent need.
What practical steps can help recruit and retain care workers as demand grows?
Ensuring social care is a desirable career, one that is seen as a skilled, valued, and respectable profession, will be absolutely key to securing its future. We must ensure that we solve the ongoing recruitment and retention crisis in the sector by making caring a genuinely attractive job prospect to local people in our communities.
Whether it is incentivising them through better wages, improved working conditions, or offering clear and meaningful opportunities for career mobility, we have been incredibly reliant on an external, often international, workforce.
Making large cuts to already overstretched and under-resourced departments under the guise of so-called efficiency will only cause significant and lasting damage to vital public services, especially adult social care
While many of these individuals are extremely committed, something I have witnessed first-hand over many years, they often do not see their long-term future in Britain or in the care sector. This is an unsustainable model and makes it almost impossible to create a stable, motivated workforce that can be retained in the long term and built upon for future resilience.
With councils warning of collapse, how sustainable is the current social care funding model?
I am deeply concerned about the current situation in adult social care funding. Many local councils have seen their budgets desperately stripped back over recent years under the Conservatives, and I am very worried that we will see a continuation, or even an escalation, of this under the newly elected Reform-led councils, including ours here in Kent.
Making large cuts to already overstretched and under-resourced departments under the guise of so-called efficiency will only cause significant and lasting damage to vital public services, especially adult social care, which is already under immense pressure.
Would you support a shift to centralised social care funding, like the NHS?
I would like to see the Department of Health and Social Care take a much stronger role in regulating adult social care to ensure it remains at a consistently high standard across the country. At the same time, I believe there should be greater devolution when it comes to funding decisions. In most cases, local authorities are best placed to understand the specific needs of their communities and to allocate resources accordingly, as they are on the front line of service delivery.
This is one of the reasons why the disbanding of NHS England was welcomed by so many healthcare professionals. It means more funding will now reach the frontline of the NHS, while regulatory responsibility shifts directly to the Department, rather than being managed by a separate public body.
This was a hugely positive step, and I would welcome any similar approach the Government is prepared to take when it comes to adult social care. I am also supportive of the new National Care Service, which will create a more centralised model for oversight and help bring much-needed attention to the persistent gaps in social care provision.
What role do you see the APPG on Adult Social Care playing in shaping policy?
The APPG has played an important role in sharing lived experience with the Government ahead of Baroness Casey’s Commission on Adult Social Care. Since the group was reconstituted in October, we have developed a very constructive and positive relationship with Government Ministers. We have held several productive meetings with the Minister of State for Care, Stephen Kinnock MP, who has regularly attended and actively engaged with our discussions.
The Minister has shown a willingness to listen and respond to the views of APPG members, fielding questions, offering detailed answers, and providing valuable feedback to those raising concerns about how the Government intends to approach adult social care throughout this Parliament.
Despite the challenges, what gives you hope for the future of adult social care?
I am optimistic that the Government is beginning to take the issue of adult social care more seriously. As I mentioned earlier, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care is taking a more holistic approach, addressing broader issues such as housing, which has long prevented many people from living more independently.
I am encouraged that Ministers are not only willing but clearly eager to engage in meaningful dialogue with those who have lived experience. The ongoing work of the Casey Commission is benefiting from these insights, especially through channels such as the APPG on Adult Social Care, which continues to provide a vital platform for constructive engagement.
