Care in the UK - BBC Radio 4

By Michele

Mon 7 Jan 2008 16:25

Hi all,

Radio 4's You and Yours programme have just started a series on Care in the UK.

You can contact them via the Radio 4 website - www.bbc.co.uk .

Some more information:

"The way we treat the infirm elderly in this country is probably the biggest social scandal there is" claims TV presenter Tony Robinson on Radio 4's You and Yours programme. Could the same also be said about the way we care for those with a disability?

The provision of social care has been described as one of the biggest unresolved issues of our time and compared with the pensions crisis. As more of us live longer we're starting to realise that longevity comes at a price.

In January the You and Yours programme, along with Woman's Hour, is leading a national debate on the future of social care. This comes as the government announces its own Green Paper on the issue with plans to start a national consultation in the spring.

You and Yours wants to hear from you and The Department of Health has agreed that the views and suggestions of BBC listeners and viewers will be looked at as part of their national consultation. You can contact the programme now via their website and on January 15 Call You and Yours will be taking your calls on social care.

Care in the UK begins from January 7 at midday on Radio 4. Amongst the items to be included are a look back at the history of social care, an examination of how the problems are being dealt with in the rest of the world and they talk to a family with a combined age of 194 about their personal experiences of care and being cared for.