Exclusive: Care Minister says 'neither green paper nor government' can alone solve all social care's woes

In an exclusive interview, Care Minister Caroline Dinenage, who kept her job after Mr Johnson’s government reshuffle, has spoken out to say "neither the green paper nor the Government - national or local - will solve all the challenges in adult social care alone" and only a “cross-party consensus” can deliver care reforms.

In an interview with carehome.co.uk, Caroline Dinenage has some advice for care homes across the country and believes fixing social care’s ills requires “organisations, communities, businesses, individuals - all stepping up”.

Expressing a need for all to share social care best practice, she said: “There is great work going on around the country that we need to spread.”

Care homes urged to consider care robots

Such great work, she said includes innovations like AI in care homes. Describing “pockets of good practice” in care homes, the Minister said care homes could do more to spread the use of technology like care robots to ease the burden on care workers.

“AI has a role to play in helping us to meet the growing demand for care services, from sensor-based technologies to monitor people’s movements at night, to care robots for companionship”, Ms Dinenage said.

NHS Digital announced £4.8m, last April, for the Social Care Digital Pathfinders grant to encourage organisations to develop digital social care projects.

Caroline Dinenage backs use of WiFi in all care homes

Use of technology includes encouraging care providers to use WiFi in all care homes.

“WiFi in care homes can help residents to stay connected with loved ones, reducing the impact of loneliness, supporting their independence and well-being and even encouraging the grandchildren to visit.

“Using video calling products, such as FaceTime or Skype, people can connect with their families and friends no matter how far away they are.

“WiFi coverage can also support greater use of technology such as electronic care planning and electronic medication management software that can improve the way care is provided.”

’CCTV can have a role to play’ in protecting residents

In addition to getting residents better connected in care homes, the Minister referred to CCTV use in care homes.

Panorama revelations of abuse by care workers at Whorlton Hall was not spotted by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The Minister said the BBC documentary was “a stark reminder that it is essential we prevent abuse from happening in the first place, whether through a robust inspection process, effective enforcement action against poor quality services or better collaboration between all involved in managing health and care services.”

As used in the Panorama documentary, abuse incidents in care settings uncovered only by the use of hidden cameras, has prompted calls for mandatory installation of CCTV in all care homes.

“CCTV can have a role to play in preventing abuse and protecting residents, but we mustn’t forget these are people’s homes and ensuring residents’ privacy, consent and dignity are upheld is critical.

“CQC has published clear information for providers and families to explain these important issues that must be taken into account if anyone is considering or already using open or hidden surveillance.”

Care homes need 'right fire protection measures' like sprinklers

As well as keeping residents safe from abuse, the Minister urged care homes to keep residents safe from fire.

While there is no legal requirement for care providers to retrofit sprinkler systems in care homes, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) has called for a law change to stop developers ignoring its advice on sprinklers. Last year, the LFB recommended sprinklers be fitted in more than 3,000 buildings including care homes.

Ms Dinenage said “Businesses running care homes have a responsibility to ensure they have the right fire protection measures, invest in regular fire training for staff and have up to date emergency plans”, and this will be assessed by CQC when they register and inspect providers.

Care homes told not to put LGBTQ+ residents back ‘in the closet’

And when it comes to protecting residents’ rights, the minister warned care homes to be “mindful” of sending LGBTQ+ residents back ‘in the closet’. She urges care homes to deliver LGBTQ+ staff training.

“No one should feel they have to hide who they are. Skills for Care has developed guidance for the workforce to improve the LGBTQ+ experience of care and give people a voice."

The Minister said of the new guidance: “I would encourage all care homes to take note”.

Minister rejects universal free personal care for England

While a lack of funding fuels the care crisis, Ms Dinenage refused to back a recommendation by the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee for the government to give £8 billion a year to fund adult social care.

But with a Spending Review expected soon, she said: “I recognise that securing a fair settlement for social care should be a key priority at the upcoming Spending Review.”

The Minister also rejected the Committee’s recommendation to offer universal free personal care in England and said “people should continue to expect to contribute to their care as part of preparing for later life”.

Reflecting on her work as Care Minister, the Minister said: “I have been proud to promote the cause of unpaid carers within government, with our Carers Action Plan published last summer already making progress to improve the lives of carers.”

The Minister also expressed pride that the Carers Innovation Fund, she had launched to finance new ways to help carers, had been increased from half a million to £5 million. “Our recent consultation on mandatory learning disability and autism training for all health and care professionals is another highlight”, she said.

As the care sector struggles to recruit and retain staff, she has described the government’s care recruitment campaign ‘Everyday Day is Different’ as “highly successful” in matching applicants with care jobs.

A quarter of the 756 care staff surveyed in May reported witnessing a rise in enquiries, interviews or job vacancies filled, and the Minister confirmed over 20,000 more clicks on applications for care jobs on the DWP's Find a Job site.

“I'm pleased to confirm we will invest a further £4 million to continue the campaign in 2019-20” and “will work closely with the sector in the months ahead, as their expertise and influence is crucial to the ongoing success of this campaign.”

Biggest regret in office? Green paper's absence

Asked by carehome.co.uk to confess her biggest regret in office, Ms Dinenage said a day before Boris Johnson was appointed PM: “Clearly the green paper remains unfinished business but it continues to be a priority for this government.”

The long-awaited adult social care green paper will, when published, include “an element of risk pooling in the system, to help protect people from high and unpredictable costs”.

But the Minister rejected a recommendation by House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee to forget the green paper proposals and go straight to publishing a social care white paper.

“There is a lack of consensus, both politically and within the sector, around how social care should be reformed. I firmly believe it is important to gather a wide range of views on options for funding reform through the consultation process, which a green paper would support.”