Councils have been urged by the Department of Health to ‘step up to the plate' and help shape the future of services for older people. The call by David Behan, the department's director general of social care, came ahead of a national campaign to get the public's response to its Green Paper, Shaping the future of care together, launched in July. There will be 36 events between now and November, some led by health secretary, Andy Burnham, and care minister, Phil Hope, but so far, local authority input – including officers – has been limited. Mr Behan, a former director of social services at Greenwich LBC, told The MJ facing up to Britain's ageing society was a ‘deeply important' issue beyond party politics. ‘These are issues which are not going to go away, irrespective of the next election,' he warned. ‘It's a valuable opportunity for health and local government partners to face one of the key challenges of the 21st century. The LGA is a valued stakeholder. Local government needs to step up to the plate on this debate and engage.' The department is reviewing how to make the current system fairer, simpler and more affordable, with options including a national insurance scheme. It has also set up a website, www.careandsupport.direct.gov.uk to canvas views. The LGA said that as a multi-party organisation it could not fully support the Government's review but would be submitting members' views. A spokesman said: ‘We have been consulting with member councils and are aware of the issues. In parallel, we will be encouraging members to get involved in the process.'
