We respond to the 10 Year Health Plan

Jim Kane, our Chief Executive Officer, responds to today’s announcement of the ‘Fit for the Future – 10 Year Health Plan’ for England:

“Community Integrated Care welcomes the government’s recognition of the severe health inequalities faced by people with a learning disability in today’s plan. That this group dies, on average, 20 years earlier than others is a national injustice. Acknowledging this is an important first step – now we need urgent action.

The new Neighbourhood Health Centres must commit to ensuring every person with a learning disability receives an annual health check. Currently, just 37% do. This is a basic, measurable step towards closing the life expectancy gap.

We support the integration of social care professionals into neighbourhood health teams, but this must be backed by investment. If care workers are to take on greater responsibilities, they must be fairly paid, properly trained, and fully supported. Our Unfair to Care report laid bare the inequity in pay between social care and comparable roles in the NHS. Without addressing this disparity, the promise of true integration will fall short.

While the Casey Commission and the proposed Fair Pay Agreement are welcome long-term commitments, they will offer little relief in the immediate term. It is disappointing that Fit for the Future plan did not go further on social care reform, given the scale and urgency of the crisis. An interim pay uplift and urgent action to stabilise the workforce are essential now – especially as the Fair Pay Agreement may not take effect until 2028. Current vacancy levels and staff turnover are simply unsustainable.

The plan lays strong foundations, but this must be a decade of delivery, not just aspiration. Community Integrated Care stands ready to work with government, health, and care partners to turn these commitments into meaningful and lasting change.”