Care workers moving to the NHS for better pay, says care home director

Care home workers are leaving their jobs to join the NHS for higher wages, the owner of six care homes in the West Midlands has said.

Credit: Sukiyaki/ Shutterstock

Geoff Butcher, director of Blackadder Corporate, which runs six homes in the West Midlands says pay and respect are key issues for the care workforce.

“Our staff can move into the NHS on a band 2 rate at over £10 an hour, and it’s a pretty identical job function”, said Mr Butcher speaking to Coventry Live.

"Existing staff can move into other higher paid jobs and are now less interested in coming to the sector because of the pay.

"Wages need to be increased to a level where people feel that they're being adequately rewarded."

This week, Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s Budget revealed a rise in the National Living Wage from £8.91 per hour to £9.50, to come into effect from 1 April next year.

But the care home director says that for those exiting the sector, money is not the only issue. "It's also an issue about respect as well.

"I feel very upset that the NHS staff are paid considerably more than they are and care home staff are treated and seen not as valuable."

CQC: Staff may take up vacant posts in hospitals

In its latest State of Health and Social Care in England report, published 22 October, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) highlighted concerns that care home workers will leave the care sector for better paying sectors and the NHS.

The CQC report stated: "We are concerned that vacancies may increase further.

"Staff from adult social care may also take up vacant posts in hospitals – especially registered nurses."

Staff vacancy rates in care homes have increased from six per cent in April 2021 to just over 10 per cent in September 2021.

The government recently announced care homes and home care providers will benefit from a new £162.5 million workforce retention and recruitment fund to boost the care workforce.

But care providers say this is not enough. The Homecare Association has said the government must make extra funding available now to enable care workers to receive wages equivalent to Band 3 healthcare assistants in the NHS with 2+ years’ experience (£21,777 p.a., or £11.14 per hour).

In Scotland this week, care staff have been protesting to demand the Scottish Government’s proposed National Care Service pay all care workers £15 an hour to help attract more people to the profession and retain staff.

In Scotland, the current minimum wage for care workers is £9.50 an hour but the Scottish Government has announced an increase to £10.02 from December, which care workers say is inadequate.

Care home providers fear there will be closures and have said the care workforce crisis will create a huge additional burden for the NHS because people can not be released from hospital if care outside hospital is not put in place for them.

"I cannot tell you how difficult it is to staff care homes right now and attract people”, care home director Geoff Butcher added.

Summing up the care workforce crisis, Cathie Williams, the chief executive of ADASS (Association of Directors of Adult Social Services in England), warned: “Without further action, a bleak winter lies ahead.”