Issue 120 14.09.22
The weekly online newsletter for the care sector
It’s time to fulfil the promise to ‘fix social care’ CARE England is calling on the new Prime Minister and her Cabinet to ensure that the Conservative manifesto promise to ‘fix social care’ is actualised under her leadership and that immediate Government support is made available for the care sector considering the current cost-of-living crisis. The association has written to Liz Truss and her new Cabinet to detail the issues facing the adult social care sector and outline some immediate solutions that would help reprimand ongoing pressures. Care England has called on the new Prime Minister to implement the following: n The introduction of a per-bed energy price cap equivalent to the proposed domestic energy price cap or the reimbursement of providers for the increased energy costs incurred by other means. n The extension of the £400 energy rebate to vulnerable people in care and supported housing, introducing parity in the way they are treated compared with those living in their own homes. n The removal of VAT and the Green Levy on energy bills. n Zero rate VAT with immediate effect to inject £350m directly to the frontline. n Directing a greater share of the money generated through the Health and Social Care Levy towards the adult social care sector.
n Implement the recommendations of the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee report and commit to addressing existing inequalities through increased funding to the adult social care sector. n To address the concerns raised in the Health and Social Care Committee’s reports at pace. n To commit to a long-term workforce strategy for adult social care which aligns pay and benefits with the NHS and local authority-run services. n To remove with immediate effect the charges made by the Home Office and for the full reimbursement of recruitment costs by providers for overseas recruitment. Professor Martin Green OBE, chief executive of Care England, said: “The adult social care sector is under extreme pressure. Longstanding workforce and funding issues have been exacerbated by the cost-of-living crisis, set to worsen in coming months. “Care England has delivered a blueprint of immediate action to the new Government to start the re-stabilisation of the sector which current support packages have failed to do for energy, workforce, and funding. “This is essential to prevent widespread market collapse and to help commence the journey towards a sustainable future for the sector given 45 per cent of providers in the South East are considering exiting the market.”
Residents, staff, families, friends and the relatives of former residents gathered at Cedars Care Home recently to celebrate the home’s 10th birthday. Everyone enjoyed a BBQ in the Southend home’s garden and toasted the big day with birthday cake after manager Victor Zingoni led a quiet moment of remembrance for all those who have passed through the home during the last decade. Guests also enjoyed live entertainment courtesy of local Elvis tribute act Paul Davidson. The home actually opened its doors on February 14, 2012 but, given the uncertain winter weather and the remaining pandemic restrictions, August was agreed as the best time to hold the party. Since February the home has been marking its anniversary in a variety of ways. Staff presented residents with a montage of photos collected between 2012 and 2022, while residents, their families and staff have all been encouraged to provide their thoughts about Cedars and what it means to them, for a time capsule to be buried soon and opened in August 2032.
Providers welcome booster jab CARE providers have warned that the country needs to be wary of a winter spike in Covid-19 cases and urged everyone eligible to have the vaccine booster. The Independent Care Group says the country may have been lulled into a false sense of security over Covid-19 and has welcomed the start of autumn booster jabs. ICG chair Mike Padgham said: “As Covid-19 figures are falling there is a temptation to think that the dangers of the pandemic are past us, but we should not lapse into such a false sense of
security. Covid-19 still poses a danger to older and vulnerable people, especially those with underlying health concerns. “We warmly welcome the autumn booster programme and are grateful to the Government and the NHS for making care and nursing home residents and staff a priority. “Covid-19 wreaked havoc in care settings during the past two-and-ahalf years, we can’t let it get any sort of foothold again. “I urge everyone who is eligible to have the booster to have it as soon as they are able and keep Covid-19 at bay.”
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