no.316
May 2023
incorporating
The Number One magazine for the care sector
Cuts in funding are a betrayal, providers claim ANGRY care providers say a Government cut in funding for the sector’s workforce is yet another cruel betrayal of a sector looking after the country’s most vulnerable. It has been confirmed that £500m earmarked to help train the social care workforce has been halved to £250m. The Independent Care Group says the news comes at a time when the sector is in crisis and needs an increase rather than cuts in funding. It is also calling for longoverdue plans for social care reform to be published straight away and not “within weeks”. ICG chair Mike Padgham said: “This is yet another cruel and unfair cut to the funding we need to provide help and support to older and vulnerable people. “The sector is going through an unprecedented staffing crisis with 165,000 vacancies crippling our delivery of care. We need every penny of funding and cannot afford to have £250m removed at a stroke like this. “The Government insists that all promised funding will stay within the sector but we cannot believe a word they tell us anymore. The sector is suffering demise by a thousand cuts and the people who will suffer most are the 1.6m people who cannot get care and the hundreds of
thousands more who are finding they need help and support, every day.” The ICG is angry that longpromised reform of the sector keeps being put back with the Government now saying plans will be announced “within weeks”. “It cannot be acceptable that government after government keeps on delaying reform to the social care sector,” Mike added. “We are now being told that plans will be announced “within weeks” – how many times have we been told that before? And that will just be the plan – we could wait months or even years for reform to begin. “Meanwhile the number of people waiting for care, now at 1.6m, continues to grow and care and nursing homes and homecare providers are closing. “On a daily basis people are having to sell their home to pay for the care they need and more and more people living with dementia are having to pay for care whilst others with equally serious illnesses get their treatment and care on the NHS. “Care providers cannot afford to pay their staff properly and so the list of vacancies continues to grow, crippling the delivery of care. “This cannot go on any longer. It is a state of affairs that shames a civilised country like ours.”
Preparations to mark His Majesty the King’s coronation next month are well underway, and for a special celebration at its Didsbury home, older people residing at Belong Morris Feinmann care village are busy rehearsing for their performance of a lifetime – with a little help from Manchester choir master extraordinaire, Dan McDwyer. Newly formed, The Tomforte Community Choir meets weekly to practise its harmonies ahead of the event on May 6 which will see the ensemble, many of whom are living with dementia, perform for fellow residents, family and friends as part of the coronation festivities programme.
Awards nominations now open OPERATORS wanting to put themselves forward for recognition have been urged to enter the Caring UK Awards. Nominations for this year’s event are now open at www.caringukawards.co.uk The awards, organised by Script Events in partnership with Caring UK, recognise excellence and achievement in all corners of the care industry. And with more than 20 categories up for grabs, there’s something to suit every type of care business. These include everything from Quality in Housekeeping and Catering Team of the Year to Best Outdoor Environment and End of Life Team of the Year. Event organiser Dominic Musgrave said: “Nominations are coming in and our
COM
LAMONT JOHNSON.
Carpeted and Standard Floor Sensor Pads Available
New Better Wireless Fall Monitoring Wireless Options: • Call button • Pager • Floor sensor pad • Door/window exit alerts
Totally GRAYSON AND DAWN TAYLOR Confidential OVER 40 YEARS No EXPERIENCE Obligation SELLING CARE HOMES NATIONWIDE
NO
One monitor works with two sensor pads
ES ARE YOU PFRONT FE LOOKING U FOR A DISCREET SALE?
Phone: 01937 842 758 m: 07920 475 440
events team is already busy ensuring that this year’s event is even bigger and better. “Our main aim is to recognise and honour the best in our wonderful sector and showcase the innovation and dedication that goes on every day so please share your successes and tell us about your hard work and initiatives by sending in your nominations … it’s a real privilege to read them.” A shortlist in each category will then be drawn up, with winners chosen by an expert panel following a visit by a member of the Caring UK team. Trophies will be handed out at a ceremony at the Athena in Leicester on Thursday, December 7 presented by television presenter Emma Jesson.
Carp
eted
Standard
• Antibacterial • One-year warranty • Integrates with most nurse calls
Freephone: 0800 032 4789
Floor Sensor Pads
S
®
AFFORDABLE FALL MONITORING SOLUTIONS
fallsavers.co.uk
DOC 12.85012B.12