A CRISIS in care looms for Essex, a report has warned.

The Who Will Care? commission concluded an ageing population coupled with spending cuts is a ticking time-bomb.

Sir Thomas Hughes-Hallett, who led the commission, said action to address care provision in the county must be taken now.

Essex County Council launched the review in January.

Five key areas have been outlined to tackle the crisis, including bosses at private businesses mentoring public sector health chiefs.

Other suggestions in the 46-page report are improving computer systems to allow the NHS, councils and care providers to share information better and earlier intervention to stop people’s conditions deteriorating.

Sir Thomas said: “In future the state willbeproviding atbest the same, and probably less.

“But what the report is not doing is allowing the state to pass the buck. When the NHS was founded it was never intended to provide everything you wanted for free, but somehow we came to believe that.

“It is providing us with the essential care we need. If, on top of that, there are other things we want to supplement our care, there are three options – the voluntary sector, community helping each other, or you pay for it.”

Commissioners spoke to thousands of people across the countyto see how they wouldimprove care.

David Finch, county council leader, said: “Public services face huge challenges in the coming years from reduced funding and it is imperative we act now and find a solution which delivers improvements for all.

“We must all take responsibility for improving health and social care and we are compelled to do it now rather than pushing it down the line to the next generation.”

The recommendations will now be passed to the council’s Essex Health and Wellbeing Board, which will look at implementing them.

To find out more, and to read the full report, visit whowill care.info