The Social Care Bill announced in yesterday’s Queen’s Speech has been welcomed by healthcare recruiter Pulse.

The bill, which will cost the taxpayer £670m a year, ensures that 400,000 elderly people will be promised help with care in their own homes which applies to England only.

Jackie Lindsay, head of independent living at health and social care staffing and services company Pulse, told Recruiter that it fully supported a ‘need not means’ based approach.

“We’ve experienced a significant increase in demand from those with critical needs wishing to be cared for by a dedicated nurse or support worker in their own home and this new funding will help ensure that their financial situation doesn’t deprive them of the type of care they choose.

“Evidence shows that individual care delivered in the home is what people prefer. It is often safer because it removes the risk of hospital-acquired infection and actually costs less to provide.

“This supports our view that a ‘one size fits all’ approach doesn’t work when it comes to care and highlights the need to make specialist care accessible to all.

“What is crucial is that funding is flexible enough to cater for each individual care package, from daily or live-in care through to around the clock support.”