Here in Scotland we already have free personal care - paid from the Scottish Governments own budget*. People in general do not know how the system works, or that it only covers assistance with getting in and out of bed, dressing, toileting, medication, etc. If still living at home then the 'patient' or an unpaid relative/carer is still responsible for heating, cleaning, laundry, shopping, cooking, etc. If the 'patient' moves into a Care Home then they are personally liable for their accommodation, food, trips out, ect costs ( in my DH's case just short of £4000 per month.) With a small pension and savings running out, he was about to qualify for some help with these costs via the LA when he died. The sale of our family home could not be enforced as I was living there.
If DH's needs had been classed as medical rather than Dementia or disablement, then he would have been in a nursing home where, just like a hospital, accommodation, food, personal care etc. would all have been free. This is an on-going injustice.
* I am wondering if the proposed rise in NI contributions would apply UK wide? It has already been stated that there will be no Barnett consequentials (i.e. additional funding for the Scottish Government as a result of increased expenditure in England) as Social Care is a devolved responsibility. So will NI contributions also rise for Scottish tax payers, with all of the proceeds being spent only in England?