Care homes struggling to provide high quality care for complex conditions, warns Royal College of Nursing

The Royal College of Nursing is concerned that care homes are struggling to provide high quality care for residents with complex medical needs. The RCN warns that severe shortages in funding, equipment and staff are exacerbating the situation.

A survey of members found that nurses working in care homes are facing big challenges providing care and the RCN has set out a nine-point plan for the Government to act on.

Meanwhile, in their new report, Persistent Challenges to Providing Quality Care, the RCN say they can identify a lack of training for staff, inappropriate admissions and extreme pressure on the workforce leading to poor staff morale.

RCN chief executive & general secretary Dr Peter Carter said: ‘This report paints a hugely concerning picture about the many daily challenges that so many nurses in care homes face in delivering high quality care. Many of these challenges are not new, but following years of underinvestment these issues have now significantly worsened.’

Getting health and social care funding right will be crucial for the sustainability of the social care system and the NHS believe the Royal College of Nursing.

Amongst the RCN’s recommendations are:

•re-evaluation of how funding is allocated to cover the needs of residents in care homes

•national guidance on staffing levels and ratios for care home

•a Government review of care home workforce planning and to ensure that this workforce is appropriately supported, trained, qualified and valued

•regulation of all health care assistants

Photo: Dr Peter Carter, Royal College of Nursing chief executive & general secretary