Reclaim Social Care Conference Nov 17 2018, Birmingham

Speakers included

Health Campaigns Together editor John Lister,
Eleanor Smith MP who has put forward the NHS Reinstatement Bill aimed at preserving the future of the NHS,

and campaigners from

the Relatives and Residents Association,
North West UNISON Dignity in Care Campaign,
“Being the Boss” / Reclaim our Futures,
National Pensioners Convention
and the Centre for Welfare Reform,

as well as Prof Peter Beresford of Essex University and Gill Ogilvie, a GMB official who has led campaigns for children’s services.

Conor McGurran of NW Region UNISON

Simon Duffy (behind him Prof Peter
Beresford and chair Ann Bannister)

Between them they outlined some of the complexity and the varied interest groups affected by the crisis in social care, spelled out some outlines of policies and objectives that should be the basis for campaigning, and agreed on the need to combat the current dysfunctional and unfair system, while challenging any further cutbacks or privatisation.

It was clear from the conference that there is a common basis for a campaign for a publicly funded and provided social care service that respects the individual needs and capacities of all citizens.

The social care service we want would deliver support as required on the basis of needs and choices, giving a voice to service users, and with services delivered to all without means tested charges and funded nationally from general taxation.

There was also support for public control and ownership of most services, to end the scandal of public money flowing to tax dodging corporations and cheapskate, exploitative home care companies; and proper status, pay, terms and conditions for all care staff, including training where required and a career structure.

We will be posting video and extracts from speeches, but in the meantime please see:

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Reclaim Social Care Conference Nov 17 2018, Birmingham