Care boss urges government to 'get a grip' on social care whilst prioritising petrol and food crisis

The Independent Care Group (ICG) says the government is willing to do anything to support some issues including “granting visas to overseas workers” to “tackle" the food and petrol crisis but continues to be “deaf” when dealing with the crisis in social care.

The ICG chair Mike Padgham has warned a whole raft of challenges is mounting which could push some care providers to the brink of survival just before winter. These include staffing crisis exacerbated by mandatory vaccination and Brexit.

Mr Padgham said: “The government is willing to do anything – including granting visas to overseas workers, to tackle food and petrol shortages but continues to be deaf when it comes to the care of our most vulnerable. It needs to get a grip on social care before it is too late and the number of people who aren’t getting the care they need, some one and a half million, doubles."

Mr Padgham said the care sector has already been hit hard by the inability to recruit overseas workers following Brexit and accuses the government of breaking policy.

“Why is the government breaking its policy on overseas workers for one sector and not for social care, which needs help just as urgently?

“We are facing a whole raft of problems but following Covid-19, the sector is already on its knees and further storm clouds are gathering that could push many providers to the brink, leaving the country short of care when it needs it most.

“The government will need to remember that care workers are just as vital as other sectors when it comes to ensuring they can get petrol.”

Mr Padgham also believes the government is going to need to provide extra financial support to care providers to cope with rising energy costs and increased insurance costs, following Covid-19.

A recent survey published by the Hampshire Care Association (HCA) which represents 230 residential and nursing care homes in the county wanted to know whether the current crisis is posing a threat to the financial sustainability of services, whether providers feel the current crisis could place them in a high-risk position with their bank or lender, whether insurance premiums have increased and whether insurers have removed cover for Covid-19 and other infectious diseases.

The survey found 66 per cent are concerned the current crisis could put the future viability of their service at risk with 20 per cent reported their bank or lender had contacted them directly to raise concerns with finances with one provider stating their bank had “no appetite for the care industry.”

The survey also showed 72 per cent of providers reported their insurance no longer covers Covid-19 public liability and 40 per cent are not covered for any infectious diseases.

One provider said: “[We were] previously covered for epidemic but they have now included no cover for pandemic or epidemic or any other ‘emic’ where they would have to pay out.”

“These are going to add huge extra costs at a time when they can least afford it,” Mr Padgham added. “They may be enough to send some to the brink of survival unless the government recognises it and does something to help.”

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