Coronavirus: Clarification required for furloughed workers moving to care sector

Care sector leaders have written to the Prime Minister requesting clarification is made in legislation for anyone currently furloughed and receiving 80 per cent of their wage can still take up employment in the NHS and social care sector.

Care England, Independent Health and Care Providers (IHCP), Scottish Care and Fforwm Gofal Cymru, has outlined the urgent need for more staff to cover the increased demand on their services and cover staff shortages caused by sickness and self-isolation during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Leaders want 'people who have been furloughed from other sectors move seamlessly into social care roles’

Professor Martin Green, chief executive of Care England, said: “The next few weeks will be absolutely critical and if we are to support some of the most vulnerable people in our society then we need to ensure that we have enough staff to be able to deliver the care and support which is so vitally needed.

“What we need is for government to urgently change legislation so that people who have been furloughed from other sectors can move seamlessly into social care roles to help us in meeting the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Right across England, thousands of women and men are leaving their homes every day to go to hospitals, care homes and communities to care for some of our most vulnerable, older and disabled citizens. We need to do everything we can to support them.”

“This action would have a significant positive impact on our staffing and our ability to maintain the high level of care we currently provide. It would help us support our existing workforce’s health and wellbeing and provide cover for the inevitable loss of staff to sickness and self?isolation.

The country is facing critical shortages of staff because of the requirement to self-isolate if a family member has or is suspected of having COVID-19. “We will face even greater staff shortage in the weeks ahead,” says Professor Green.

“During this crisis we are supporting the NHS by helping free up hospital beds for those who will be admitted due to the virus as well as caring for those who have contracted it.

“Our teams across the UK are doing an incredible job under extreme pressure and putting themselves at risk everyday – we want to do everything we can to support them."