ADASS have released the results of a survey which reveals 1.5m hours of commissioned homecare couldn't be provided between August and October due to lack of staff. This is despite a growth in provision. Approximately 400,000 people are waiting for assessment.
Responding to the survey, Homecare Association CEO Dr Jane Townson said:
In September 2021, the Homecare Association reported survey results indicating that demand for homecare is out-stripping supply. We have continued to raise concerns about potential harm to older and disabled people as a result of shortage of careworkers, which exacerbates unmet need. This ADASS survey supports our findings, indicating that whilst councils are commissioning at least 15% more hours of homecare, an estimated 1.5 million hours could not be delivered in the survey period.
Rapidly growing waiting times for assessments and reviews, reduction in available safely staffed care services, and contract hand-backs, also add to pressure on the NHS. Inadequate capacity in social care risks harm to everyone needing medical help, as it contributes to ambulance queues, cancelled operations, and an increase in hospital waiting times. We fear that imposing vaccination as a condition of deployment will intensify risk. At least 20% of the homecare workforce could be lost as a result of this policy, leaving over 100,000 older and disabled people without care.
As central government appears determined to sabotage the care sector, there is an urgent need for local government and the NHS to work with care providers to develop contingency plans. Risks to older and disabled people of worsening staff shortages and service failure must be mitigated.
We call on the government to add social care workers to the shortage occupation list without delay. Government also needs to fund councils adequately to enable fair reward of the care workforce, reducing the number of staff leaving in favour of better pay, terms and conditions of employment in other sectors.
***ENDS***
Notes to editors
- Our CEO Jane Townson is available for interview upon request.
- The Homecare Association is the UK’s membership body for homecare providers, with over 2,340 members nationally. The Homecare Association’s mission is to work together to ensure that homecare is valued, so that all of us can live well at home and flourish within our communities. The Homecare Association takes the lead in shaping homecare, in collaboration with partners across the care sector, and provides hands-on support and practical tools for its members. As a member-led professional association, the Homecare Association's members agree to abide by the Association's Code of Practice.
- For further information please contact: Homecare Association Ltd, Sutton Business Centre, Restmor Way, Wallington, SM6 7AH. Telephone: 020 8661 8165. Mobile: 07393 012 113. www.homecareassociation.org.uk
