The Inspector

The quest for ratings success often causes TV producers to take a voyeuristic interest in people's illnesses and impairments, and the more bizarre the symptoms the better. But, if some of these programmes are merely superficial and intrusive, this was an honourable exception. Shown on prime-time ITV1 (8 August), it was the second of Paul Watson's films about the lives of Malcolm and Barbara Pointon as Malcolm descended into the dark underworld of Alzheimer's.

He may not know it but Joe Public has just backed a massive increase in investment for adult social care.

Ever heard of the demographic timebomb? Of the fact that there will be 400,000 more older people by 2011 and that on current trends all but those in critical need will be excluded from social care services? Of the fact that many of the UK's fabled six million informal carers are struggling to cope and living in poverty with no hope even of a decent pension to look forward to in their own old age? Well, of course you have but you may well wonder whether Labour's future top brass have.

I thought I'd remind you all of the work of the Caring Choices coalition, launched last month to promote a public debate on the thorny subject of how to fund long-term care.
Despite the demographic realities of an ageing population and the increased lifespan of disabled people, public understanding of the potential costs of long-term care and the way the current system works remains low, something the 15 organisations in the coalition are aiming to correct.