BGS responds to the Queen's Speech 2021

Today the Queen outlined the government's priorities for the year ahead, as she officially reopened Parliament.  The speech said the government would bring forward measures to reform the operation of the social care system in England but it did not provide specific detail.

Dr Jennifer Burns, President of the British Geriatrics Society, commented:

Having had numerous promises from the Prime Minister to reform social care, we were heartened to hear Her Majesty The Queen confirm that bringing proposals forward is on the Government’s agenda for the coming year. We urge the Government to provide details of these plans as soon as possible to ensure that older people are able to access the care that they need rather than struggling to manage at home or in hospital for want of adequate social care. As we move out of the COVID-19 pandemic, the numbers of people requiring social care support are only going to increase and it is essential that the Government urgently addresses this increased need with a fair and sustainable social care system.”