Care leaders call for 'army of volunteers' to tackle staff absences as Covid cases rise

The Independent Care Group (ICG) and Care Forum Wales are urging their respective governments to set up an “army of volunteers” to tackle a shortage of care staff fuelled by rising cases of Omicron.

According to internal health system staffing data seen by the Guardian, almost 10 per cent of care home staff are currently off work in England with three per cent due to Covid, which comprises of around 11,000 care workers.

The (ICG) chair, Mike Padgham, has written to the health secretary for a second time, urging him to set up an emergency arms of volunteers to step in and help care providers who are chronically short of staff.

The ICG warns that the sector is already on its “knees” because of the “upheaval of Brexit”, the mandatory vaccine policy brought in earlier this year and now the escalating cases of Covid-19.

Mr Padgham said: “Every day we are hearing from the operators of nursing and care homes and from homecare providers who cannot operate properly because they are so short of staff.

“We need help before we have to start rationing care,” warns Mr Padgham. “Care providers cannot go on as they are or the amount and the standard of care are going to be under threat and compromised.

“The idea of a volunteer army for care – similar to that being set up to support the NHS – is a serious one and one that must be implemented immediately, before it is too late.”

Vic Rayner, chief executive of the National Care Forum has also warned that the spread of Omicron across the country will bring more care homes into "outbreak" putting "huge pressure" on "already compromised staff" meaning "those who need care do not get it.”

'We’re on a war footing'

Mario Kreft, chair of Care Forum Wales, says the sector is facing its worst ever crisis with reports that 75 per cent of staff were off work in some care homes, either because they had contracted coronavirus, or they were self-isolating and as a last resort, homes were introducing “firebreaks” to temporarily restrict visiting.

He also fears reinforcements might not be available because statutory organisations like local health boards and councils were also short of staff.

Mr Kreft said: “We’re on a war footing. I think we’ll see visiting restricted for a period of days or a week or so because there will not be the staff.

“Nobody understands the importance of care home visiting better than those that run and work in care homes. It’s essential to people’s wellbeing and we’ve had decades of open house visiting without any appointments.”

Mr Kreft said safe visiting also requires staffing input which makes it even more difficult if you are short of staff and don’t have the capacity to ensure safe visiting.

“I think what we’ll see is firebreaks or temporary pauses in terms of visiting individual care homes but the responsibility is with the registered manager and the organisation running each care setting.

“All the registered providers have legal responsibilities towards their residents and they also have responsibility for the health and safety of their own staff.

“The other added complication is that care homes are now unable to secure insurance against Covid-related claims so they really cannot afford to take any risks.”

Mr Kreft said Care Forum Wales has been working with the Welsh government, health boards and local government.

A spokesperson for the Welsh government said: “We have taken early and decisive action to keep Wales safe in light of the spread of the highly-transmissible Omicron variant.

“We continue to work very closely with the care sector and its representatives. This includes providing guidance, financial support and access to PPE supplies. "Local authorities are in continuous contact with care homes to ensure staffing is maintained at a level to ensure the safety and well-being of residents.

"Whilst we appreciate the considerable pressures care homes are facing, blanket bans on care home visits are not appropriate. Visits should be supported in line with our visiting guidance.

"If a care home is dealing with a Covid-19 outbreak, visits by the 'essential visitor' should still be supported in line with the guidance and the care home’s risk assessment.”

To read the latest care home visiting guidance for England, Wales and Scotland, click here

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