Cabinet member speaks at parliamentary event on elderly care

Cabinet member Michael Gosling set out Surrey County Council’s work to help people stay longer in their own homes and communities at an event hosted by a parliamentary group.

Mr Gosling participated in the Local Government All Party Parliamentary Group’s round table discussion about the future of elderly care alongside the council’s Strategic Director for Adult Social Care Sarah Mitchell.

Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health Michael Gosling. Click image to download.

Representatives from the National Housing Federation, Age UK, Brunel University and the WRVS also took part.

The discussion followed a review by the group of MPs and peers that examined how local government can best provide support*.

The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health outlined the ways Surrey is giving the elderly, disabled and those with mental health problems greater independence.

Mr Gosling highlighted how the council is investing £10 million to work with Surrey’s district and boroughs to provide round the clock telecare, advice centres run for and by disabled people and day care facilities.

In addition, he spoke about the work being done by Surrey’s health and wellbeing board as it prepares to take over public health from the NHS next April and emphasised that he jointly chairs it with GP Joe McGilligan.

Mr Gosling said: “People tell us they want greater independence and to continue living in their own homes in familiar surroundings. By working as one team with other councils, we’re doing everything possible to give people maximum control and power so they can live their lives as they choose.

“It is right that councils and local communities are freed up to decide how best to improve the health and wellbeing of their residents. Promoting healthy lifestyles and helping people live independently longer is at the heart of what councils do.”

Ends

* Supported by think-tank the Local Government information Unit, the group will collate written and oral evidence from three sessions and publish recommendations in the summer.