Posted 30 September, 2014

Liberal Democrat Health Minister Norman Lamb has responded to Andy Burnham’s plans for a full integration of health and social care services.

This government’s £3.8bn merger of health and social care services is the integration Labour talked about but never delivered in their 13 years in power.

Speaking at Labour’s conference, Andy Burnham also announced plans for new rights for carers including ring-fencing funds for carers to take a respite break.

Liberal Democrats in Government have made £400m funding available to the NHS to support carers to take breaks from caring responsibilities.

And in July it was announced that Liberal Democrats will introduce a new ‘Right to Respite’ package for carers, including an annual ‘Carer’s Respite Bonus’ worth £250.

Commenting Liberal Democrat Care Minister Norman Lamb said:

“Labour need to learn the lessons of the past and stop trying to run the NHS from a desk in Whitehall.

“Joined up health and care services are the way to protect our precious health service for the future, which is why I am already championing this approach across the country.

“But what the NHS needs is bottom up evolution, which works for patients, not hospital managers paralysed waiting for the next reorganisation dictated by Andy Burnham.”