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Council chiefs have recruited a top Department of Health civil servant to spearhead their efforts to secure more investment for adult social care.

Anne McDonald will join the Local Government Association as programme director for health and well-being next month from her current role as a programme lead in the DH’s social care directorate, headed by David Behan.

She said: “I’m looking forward to working as part of the LGA at a time when vital choices have to be made over the way in which services for older people are delivered and paid for. We are at a critical time and the debate around social care is gaining momentum giving local government many opportunities to influence change.”

While she takes up her post in the run up to the government’s comprehensive spending review which is expected in October, it is unclear what scope there will be for influencing the social care settlement at this late stage.

Last week, the LGA joined a new coalition demanding a debate on the long-term funding of adult social care which is demanding a debate on the long-term funding of adult social care to deal with the ageing population and increasing numbers of disabled people.

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