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HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE

National Care Service: Why local government must be central to social care reform

The idea of a National Care Service needs 'some joined-up thinking which properly links devolution, health and care with local government being the foundation on which that system is built', warns Catherine Howe.

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By Dr Catherine Howe | 20 October 2026
© The MJ / Mark Mercer

While a clear government focus on social care is of course welcome, is anyone else a bit perturbed by the idea of a national care service? 

Don't we want a hyper-local care service that is supporting people in their homes?

Dr Catherine Howe

Popular articles by Dr Catherine Howe

  1. Making change work for local government
  2. Devolution is an opportunity, but it needs space to breathe
  3. Shifting from LGR to integration
  4. Leading through the power of choice

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Dr Catherine Howe

Popular articles by Dr Catherine Howe

  1. Making change work for local government
  2. Devolution is an opportunity, but it needs space to breathe
  3. Shifting from LGR to integration
  4. Leading through the power of choice
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