Newsletter - 16th October 2026

Blueprint for a National Care Service?

A change of gear this week — and a return to my stories about Lena and toThe Care Combine, the dementia care project which she inspired.

There's been a lot of talk about adult social care in the UK recently. Our new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, has spoken movingly of his own family’s struggles after his father’s recent death from dementia. He has pledged to ‘spend a lot of political capital’ on fixing social care and announced plans to establish a National Care Service, providing free personal care for older people according to need. 

In the days immediately following Burnham's announcement, all I kept hearing from political commentators and rival politicians was negativity. How are we going to pay for this National Care Service? Will the poor taxpayer have to take another hit? And aren't there other budgetary priorities? In this dangerous age, do we really want to prioritise welfare over warfare?

It might surprise you to hear me arguing that the Government should not invest a penny more in our social care system. In my view, it would simply be throwing good money after bad.

In a story I've published this week, I start explaining why. Dementia Care In Crisis — What Family Carers Really Need is the first in a series of articles detailing my proposal for The Care Combine, which could deliver exactly the kind of National Care Service that Burnham envisages ... while actually stimulating economic growth and social wellbeing. And without increasing taxes or diverting money from other key budgets.

I'd love to hear what you think about this article — especially if you've ever had experience of dementia care — personally or professionally. If you're not in the UK, are the issues raised relevant in your country too? The full story is on my website, and there's a box for your comments at the foot of the article. Or if you'd prefer to message me privately, just reply to this email.