I was shocked to read this week that in some areas, social care spending is being cut so severely that individuals are being sent to hospital, because there is no local social care alternative.

Our current social care system is completely geared towards caring for those already in crisis, rather than getting people into the system earlier. It is a completely false economy, and totally unsustainable, given tight financial settlements in health and social care. It also leaves a terrible legacy for individuals and families involved.