Today the Care Quality Commission correctly identified the seismic nature of the challenge facing the care system and the need for new models of care to overcome it. Michael Voges, Executive Director of ARCO said:

“The perfect storm is setting in – a shortage of workers, an ageing population and an unreformed care system all mean that the high-water mark of pressure on the system has not yet come.

“It must now be clear that the UK must follow the example of many countries around the world and look at new, preventative models of care delivery. The CQC are right to recognise this. Chief among them must be more widespread provision of housing-with-care to support older people to be independent for as long as possible and to develop fewer care needs.

“Models such as housing-with-care are the best and most sustainable way of reducing pressure on our health and social care systems and of keeping older people out of care homes.

“We are calling on the Government to take action now to enable the sector to expand.”