The new Care Act, which became law a few weeks ago, was described to me recently by a campaigner for disabled people as “the most revolutionary change in care legislation for decades”. For once, it appears as if the rhetoric of the politicians was right. The act now makes it a statutory requirement that everyone who is in the care system has to have an assessment of their needs; and as a result a personalised care plan. No longer a one size fits all care solution with people competing for resources; now we have a right, enshrined in law, to a personalised plan. Integration is assumed. And this is surely a good thing, although I would suggest not a panacea. But having a law is one thing. What
Whilst temporarily resident in upstate New York I have had numerous visits from friends and family in the UK. Sadly, one of them has had cause to sample the US Healthcare system. This was as a result of a fractured Femur, requiring an emergency hip replacement and 2 weeks in an Inpatient rehabilitation facility prior to repatriation to the UK last week. I am pleased to report that the care provided was excellent once the insurance status had been confirmed by the hospital. Whilst the experience of the ED (in mid-town Manhattan) was in many ways similar to a visit to a UK Emergency Room, the other aspects of care seemed somewhat less frantic and had a more routine feel than would probably hav
