The Care Quality Commission has released it's State of Care report their annual annual assessment of health care and social care in England.
Commenting on the report. Homecare Association CEO Dr Jane Townson said:
“We are pleased the CQC recognises the seriousness of the risk of unmet need which now faces adult social care. In homecare, demand is rising and many providers are having to turn down new requests for help. Some providers are unable to staff existing contracts and are handing work back. Recruiting and retaining staff is currently more challenging than ever. Inadequate government funding for social care over many years has led to poor pay, terms and conditions of employment and poor commissioning and procurement practices. Pressures during the pandemic have added to staff turnover, and losses could be further exacerbated if vaccination as a condition of deployment is implemented.
We continue to call on the Government to use the Spending Review to invest adequately in homecare. The priority is to ensure homecare workers are paid fairly for the skilled roles they perform, and at least on a par with equivalent public sector roles. The Health and Social Care Levy is a start but is nowhere near enough to address underlying workforce issues.
We must invest to ensure there are enough careworkers to meet needs, so that older and disabled people can live well at home, surrounded by those they love, and connected to their communities.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
- The Homecare Association (formerly United Kingdom Homecare Association, UKHCA) 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
